The dynamic morphology of glucose as expressed via Raman and terahertz spectroscopy

Abstract

The proposed work introduces time-captured Raman and terahertz spectroscopic analyses as orthogonal probes of intramolecular and intermolecular modes in biomolecular structures. The work focuses on glucose given the complexity and dynamics of its anomeric conversion and crystallization. The Raman analyses capture the dynamics of its intramolecular modes – revealing conversion between α and β anomers. At the same time, the terahertz analyses capture the dynamics of its intermolecular modes – showing an evolution from amorphous to crystalline morphology. It is shown that time-captured Raman and terahertz spectroscopy together render a more complete depiction, and deeper understanding, of the biomolecular structure of glucose.

Spatial and spectral characteristics in realizations of broadband terahertz spectroscopy on a subwavelength scale

“…Its frequencies, spanning 0.3–3 THz, couple to many of the key rotational and vibrational modes of biomolecules 3 , 6 – 8 , while its photon energies, from 1.24 to 12.4 meV, lay well below the typical ionization energies of cells 3 , 5 , 8 . This yields great potential in characterizations of simple biomolecular compounds, such as our own studies of glucose 9 , to far more complex tissues, showing physiological markers of disease 2 , 7 , 10 – 12 . Unfortunately, the relatively low frequencies of the THz spectrum, spanning 100–1000 µm, yield far longer wavelengths than the visible and infrared spectra.…”