3D hot spot construction on the hydrophobic interface with SERS tags for quantitative detection of pesticide residues on food surface

• Published in: Food chemistry 2025-01, Vol.463 (Pt 3), p.141391, Article 141391
• Main Authors: Wang, Yan-Hui, Huang, Chen, Wu, Xiao, Liu, Xiao-Feng, You, En-Ming, Liu, Sheng-Hong, Wang, An, Jin, Shangzhong, Zhang, Fan-Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D hot spots; Food Contamination - analysis; Gold - chemistry; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Hydrophobic interface; Limit of Detection; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Pesticide residues; Pesticide Residues - analysis; Pesticide Residues - chemistry; Quantitative analysis; Spectrum Analysis, Raman - methods; Surface-enhanced Raman scattering
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141391

The overuse of pesticides results in excessive pesticide residues, posing a potential threat to human health. Herein, this work proposes a SERS substrate for the quantitative analysis of pesticide residues on food surfaces. Au cores are assembled on PS microspheres, followed by the modification of Raman internal standards (1,4-BDT) on the gold core surface and the growth of the Au shell. After incubating the analytes with PS@Au@1,4-BDT@Au particles, the mixture is dropped on the hydrophobic gold film for drying before detection. The SERS substrates exhibited high sensitivity and stability, with a detection limit of 10−12 M and an RSD of less than 7 %. Combined with a portable Raman spectrometer, the SERS detection of pesticide residues on three kinds of food surfaces is carried out, with a sensitivity of 10−11 M, meeting the US MRLs regulations. Therefore, this strategy may possess significant potential for future food safety. •PS@Core-shell particle fabricates 3D hot spots on the hydrophobic interface.•Raman Internal standard provides a reference for quantitative SERS detection.•The hydrophobic film attenuates the “coffee ring” effect of solvent evaporation.