Disperse magnetic solid phase microextraction and surface enhanced Raman scattering (Dis-MSPME-SERS) for the rapid detection of trace illegally chemicals

Magnetic solid-phase extraction-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for label-free therapeutic drug monitoring of carbamazepine and clozapine in human serum

Determination of antiepileptic drugs and antipsychotics in human serum is significant in individualized drug administration and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). In this study, we developed a rapid label-free TDM method for the antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ) and the antipsychotic clozapine (CLO) in human serum. This detection strategy is based on the combination of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE). Initially, Fe3O4@SiO2@MIL-101(Fe) nanocomposites were synthesized by the layer-by-layer self-assembly method and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, ultraviolet-visible, and Fourier transform infrared analyses. Subsequently, CBZ and CLO were detected in human serum using Fe3O4@SiO2@MIL-101(Fe) as the solid-phase extraction adsorbent and Ag nanoparticles as SERS substrates. The potential of the MSPE-SERS method for the label-free TDM of CBZ and CLO was then investigated. Fe3O4@SiO2@MIL-101(Fe) prevents magnetic particle aggregation and demonstrates rapid magnetic separation capability that simplifies the pretreatment process and reduces interference from complex matrices. Its large surface area can effectively enrich targets in complex matrices, thereby improving the SERS detection sensitivity. The linearity between CBZ and CLO was excellent over the concentration range of 0.1-100 µg/mL (calculated as the intensity of the SERS characteristic peaks of CBZ and CLO at 728 cm and 1054 cm-1, respectively), with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.9987 and 0.9957, and detection limits of 0.072 and 0.12 µg/mL, respectively. The recoveries of CBZ with CLO ranged from 94.0 % to 105.0 %, and their relative standard deviations were <6.8 %. Compared to other assays, the developed MSPE-SERS method has the advantages of simple sample pretreatment, rapid detection, and good reproducibility, which provides a novel approach for the TDM of other drugs.

Controllable Preparation of Superparamagnetic Fe3O4@La(OH)3 Inorganic Polymer for Rapid Adsorption and Separation of Phosphate

Superparamagnetic Fe3O4 particles have been synthesized by solvothermal method, and a layer of dense silica sol polymer is coated on the surface prepared by sol-gel technique; then La(OH)3 covered the surface of silica sol polymer in an irregular shape by controlled in situ growth technology. These magnetic materials are characterized by TEM, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, EDS and VSM; the results show that La(OH)3 nanoparticles have successfully modified on Fe3O4 surface. The prepared Fe3O4@La(OH)3 inorganic polymer has been used as adsorbent to remove phosphate efficiently. The effects of solution pH, adsorbent dosage and co-existing ions on phosphate removal are investigated. Moreover, the adsorption kinetic equation and isothermal model are used to describe the adsorption performance of Fe3O4@La(OH)3. It was observed that Fe3O4@La(OH)3 exhibits a fast equilibrium time of 20 min, high phosphate removal rate (>95.7%), high sorption capacity of 63.72 mgP/g, excellent selectivity for phosphate in the presence of competing ions, under the conditions of phosphate concentration 30 mgP/L, pH = 7, adsorbent dose 0.6 g/L and room temperature. The phosphate adsorption process by Fe3O4@La(OH)3 is best described by the pseudo-second-order equation and Langmuir isotherm model. Furthermore, the real samples and reusability experiment indicate that Fe3O4@La(OH)3 could be regenerated after desorption, and 92.78% phosphate removing remained after five cycles. Therefore, La(OH)3 nanoparticles deposited on the surface of monodisperse Fe3O4 microspheres have been synthesized for the first time by a controlled in-situ growth method. Experiments have proved that Fe3O4@La(OH)3 particles with fast separability, large adsorption capacity and easy reusability can be used as a promising material in the treatment of phosphate wastewater or organic pollutants containing phosphoric acid functional group.

Recent Progress on Solid Substrates for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Analysis

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful vibrational spectroscopy technique with distinguished features of non-destructivity, ultra-sensitivity, rapidity, and fingerprint characteristics for analysis and sensors. The SERS signals are mainly dependent on the engineering of high-quality substrates. Recently, solid SERS substrates with diverse forms have been attracting increasing attention due to their promising features, including dense hot spot, high stability, controllable morphology, and convenient portability. Here, we comprehensively review the recent advances made in the field of solid SERS substrates, including their common fabrication methods, basic categories, main features, and representative applications, respectively. Firstly, the main categories of solid SERS substrates, mainly including membrane substrate, self-assembled substrate, chip substrate, magnetic solid substrate, and other solid substrate, are introduced in detail, as well as corresponding construction strategies and main features. Secondly, the typical applications of solid SERS substrates in bio-analysis, food safety analysis, environment analysis, and other analyses are briefly reviewed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of solid SERS substrates, including analytical performance improvement and largescale production level enhancement, are proposed.

Recent Developments in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and Its Application in Food Analysis: Alcoholic Beverages as an Example

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an emerging technology that combines Raman spectroscopy and nanotechnology with great potential. This technology can accurately characterize molecular adsorption behavior and molecular structure. Moreover, it can provide rapid and sensitive detection of molecules and trace substances. In practical application, SERS has the advantages of portability, no need for sample pretreatment, rapid analysis, high sensitivity, and ‘fingerprint’ recognition. Thus, it has great potential in food safety detection. Alcoholic beverages have a long history of production in the world. Currently, a variety of popular products have been developed. With the continuous development of the alcoholic beverage industry, simple, on-site, and sensitive detection methods are necessary. In this paper, the basic principle, development history, and research progress of SERS are summarized. In view of the chemical composition, the beneficial and toxic components of alcoholic beverages and the practical application of SERS in alcoholic beverage analysis are reviewed. The feasibility and future development of SERS are also summarized and prospected. This review provides data and reference for the future development of SERS technology and its application in food analysis.

Mechanical power driven SPME-SERS ultra-fast detection of illegal additives in aquaculture water

A dual-function (extraction and detection) porous silver fiber with high enhancement effect was constructed based on a convenient electrochemical etching method. The prepared silver fiber not only had high enrichment capacity and good Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) performance but also had good laser stability and uniformity. A strategy combining mechanical power and integration of solid phase extraction (SPME) and SERS detection was used. Driven by mechanical power, the analyte malachite green (MG) was enriched on the prepared silver fiber after 40 seconds, which can realize an ultra-fast and sensitive detection with a detection limit of 8.48 × 10-9 M. At the same time, this fiber can be regenerated after being treated with NaBH4. The silver fiber can be used for the detection of MG and CV after being immersed in NaBH4 solution for a few minutes. After 5 cycles of processing, the measurement signals of the silver fiber can reach 70% of the initial signals. The mechanical power driven SPME-SERS (MPD-SPME-SERS) integrated detection method can be used to analyse aquaculture water within 1 minute with a good linear relationship.

Interpol review of controlled substances 2016-2019

This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.

Combining microextraction methods with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy towards more selective and sensitive analyte detection by plasmonic metal nanoparticles

Raman signals of analytes can be enhanced on the surface of noble nanoparticles by generating SERS signals, which can be further enhanced using microextraction (ME) techniques.

Optical-Based (Bio) Sensing Systems Using Magnetic Nanoparticles

In recent years, various reports related to sensing application research have suggested that combining the synergistic impacts of optical, electrical or magnetic properties in a single technique can lead to a new multitasking platform. Owing to their unique features of the magnetic moment, biocompatibility, ease of surface modification, chemical stability, high surface area, high mass transference, magnetic nanoparticles have found a wide range of applications in various fields, especially in sensing systems. The present review is comprehensive information about magnetic nanoparticles utilized in the optical sensing platform, broadly categorized into four types: surface plasmon resonance (SPR), surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), fluorescence spectroscopy and near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging (NIRS) that are commonly used in various (bio) analytical applications. The review also includes some conclusions on the state of the art in this field and future aspects.

Metal-Organic Frameworks for Food Safety

Food safety is a prevalent concern around the world. As such, detection, removal, and control of risks and hazardous substances present from harvest to consumption will always be necessary. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of functional materials, possess unique physical and chemical properties, demonstrating promise in food safety applications. In this review, the synthesis and porosity of MOFs are first introduced by some representative examples that pertain to the field of food safety. Following that, the application of MOFs and MOF-based materials in food safety monitoring, food processing, covering preservation, sanitation, and packaging is overviewed. Future perspectives, as well as potential opportunities and challenges faced by MOFs in this field will also be discussed. This review aims to promote the development and progress of MOF chemistry and application research in the field of food safety, potentially leading to novel solutions.

Solid-phase microextraction: An appealing alternative for the determination of endogenous substances - A review

The determination of endogenous substances is of great significance for obtaining important biotic information such as biological components, metabolic pathways and disease biomarkers in different living organisms (e.g. plants, insects, animals and humans). However, due to the complex matrix and the trace concentrations of target analytes, the sample preparation procedure is an essential step before the analytes of interest are introduced into a detection instrument. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME), an emerging sample preparation technique that integrates sampling, extraction, concentration, and sample introduction into one step, has gained wide acceptance in various research fields, including in the determination of endogenous compounds. In this review, recent developments and applications of SPME for the determination of endogenous substances over the past five years are summarized. Several aspects, including the design of SPME devices (sampling configuration and coating), applications (in vitro and in vivo sampling), and coupling with emerging instruments (comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC), ambient mass spectrometry (AMS) and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)) are involved. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of SPME methods in endogenous substances analysis are also discussed.

Rapid and Quantitative Determination of Sildenafil in Cocktail Based on Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Sildenafil (SD) and its related compounds are the most common adulterants found in herbal preparations used as sexual enhancer or man’s virility products. However, the abuse of SD threatens human health such as through headache, back pain, rhinitis, etc. Therefore, it is important to accurately detect the presence of SD in alcoholic beverages. In this study, the Opto Trace Raman 202 (OTR 202) was used as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) active colloids to detect SD. The results demonstrated that the limit of detection (LOD) of SD was found to be as low as 0.1 mg/L. Moreover, 1235, 1401, 1530, and 1584 cm⁻¹ could be qualitatively determined as SD characteristic peaks. In a practical application, SD in cocktail could be easily detected using SERS based on OTR 202. Also, there was a good linear correlation between the intensity of Raman peaks at 1235, 1401, 1530, and 1584 cm⁻¹ and the logarithm of SD concentration in cocktail was in the range of 0.1–10 mg/L (0.9822 < R² < 0.9860). The relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 12.7% and the recovery ranged from 93.0%–105.8%. Moreover, the original 500–1700 cm⁻¹ SERS spectra were pretreated and the partial least squares (PLS) was applied to establish the prediction model between SERS spectra and SD content in cocktail and the highest determination coefficient (Rp²) reached 0.9856. In summary, the SD in cocktail could be rapidly and quantitatively determined by SERS, which was beneficial to provide a rapid and accurate scheme for the detection of SD in alcoholic beverages.