Fabrication of surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensors to detect antibiotic residues in muscle foods using gold nanoparticles

The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a precise technique for molecular structure analysis. This method relies on enhancing the Raman signal by using plasmonic nanostructures, such as gold and silver, which serve as substrate sensors.We used a fast and cost-effective approach to create a substrate for the SERS analysis. Gold colloidal nanoparticles in diameters of 50-80nm were initially synthesized and deposited onto glass slides to create a uniform and rough substrate. To stabilize the gold nanoparticles, a sulfur compound called 1-dodecanethiol was selected, increasing the contact angle of the sample to 45°. Florfenicol antibiotic residue in chicken meat was selected as an analyte. Spectrum acquisitions at various points on a single slide demonstrated acceptable substrate uniformity (RSD = 8.44%). Further experiments conducted on different slides confirmed the consistency of the results (RSD = 7.90%). Finally, the reliability of the results was confirmed through spectrum acquisitions over various time intervals (RSD = 1.26%).