Development of a Heat-Induced Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Sensing Method for Rapid Detection of Glutathione in Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

In this paper, a direct and simple detection method based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) named "heat-induced SERS sensing method" is proposed for rapid determination of glutathione in aqueous solutions. It was found that highly enhanced SERS spectra of glutathione can be obtained if the silver colloids adsorbed with the analyte were heated up before the SERS measurement. Besides, it was revealed that silver particles with a size of approximately 60 nm are suitable for this study and that the SERS intensity is also influenced by the dropped sample volume, drying temperature, buffer concentration, and pH of the solution. It is noted that the thiol group of glutathione has a particularly strong interaction with a silver surface compared with other small biological molecules without a thiol group, validating this method to detect glutathione selectively. Under the optimal conditions, the detection of glutathione can be finished within 5 min, and the detection limit of ca. 50 nM can be reached, which is much better than the reported detection limit of glutathione (approximately 1 microM) by SERS. The enhancement factor of the proposed heat-induced SERS sensing method for the detection of glutathione is about 7.5 x 10(6). The proposed method holds a specific selectivity toward glutathione, facilitating its rapid detection in practical applications.

Experimental parameters for the SERS of nitrate ion for label‐free semi‐quantitative detection of proteins and mechanism for proteins to form SERS hot sites: a SERS study

“…[28] Moreover, a sample can be stocked for a long time and can be reused. Figure S5 displays the SERS spectra of one sample measured in 6 days (stocked at 25 • C).…”

“…[28] In this method, a portion of a 30-µl sample solution (containing an analyte and Ag colloid) is heated on an aluminum pan plate at 100 • C for 3 min to obtain a dry film, and then the SERS signal is acquired. Compared to conventional SERS protocols, this method enables one to obtain a much larger SERS enhancement without loss of vibrational information about the analyte.…”

Silver nanoparticle-treated filter paper as a highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate for detection of tyrosine in aqueous solution

“…In general, for a solid substrate, such as glass or metal, the analysis of aqueous samples requires extensive time to evaporate the water to concentrate the analyte at the AgNPs. Several authors [27,32,34] have attempted to physically remove the water from the sample drops to speed up the analysis. For instance, Huang et al [34] used heat to dry analyte-doped AgNPs and found an enhancement factor up to 10 6 with a short analysis time.…”

“…Several authors [27,32,34] have attempted to physically remove the water from the sample drops to speed up the analysis. For instance, Huang et al [34] used heat to dry analyte-doped AgNPs and found an enhancement factor up to 10 6 with a short analysis time. Another approach utilized AgNPs in colloidal solution mixing with samples, then deposited on filter paper to drain the water.…”

Quantitative Determination of Total Amino Acids Based on Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering and Ninhydrin Derivatization

“…Surfaceenhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a vibrational spectroscopic technique with the advantages of high sensitivity, nondestructive measurements and molecular fingerprint information, which attracts many researchers to work on the quantitative analysis of biosamples by SERS. [21][22][23][24] In the present study, we attempted to establish a simple method for total amino acids quantification via ninhydrin derivatization and the SERS technique with the aim of high sensitivity and simplicity. First, the amino acids mixture is derived through reactions with the ninhydrin reagent, and then the producing solution is dropped onto a self-assembled Ag nanoparticles (NPs) film for SERS detection.…”