SERS immuno- and apta-assays in biosensing/bio-detection: Performance comparison, clinical applications, challenges

Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy is increasingly used as a sensitive bioanalytical tool for detection of variety of analytes ranging from viruses and bacteria to cancer biomarkers and toxins, etc. This comprehensive review describes principles of operation and compares the performance of immunoassays and aptamer assays with Surface Enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection to each other and to some other bioassay methods, including ELISA and fluorescence assays. Both immuno- and aptamer-based assays are categorized into assay on solid substrates, assays with magnetic nanoparticles and assays in laminar flow or/and strip assays. The best performing and recent examples of assays in each category are described in the text and illustrated in the figures. The average performance, particularly, limit of detection (LOD) for each of those methods reflected in 9 tables of the manuscript and average LODs are calculated and compared. We found out that, on average, there is some advantage in terms of LOD for SERS immunoassays (0.5 pM median LOD of 88 papers) vs SERS aptamer-based assays (1.7 pM median LOD of 51 papers). We also tabulated and analyzed the clinical performance of SERS immune and aptamer assays, where selectivity, specificity, and accuracy are reported, we summarized the best examples. We also reviewed challenges to SERS bioassay performance and real-life application, including non-specific protein binding, nanoparticle aggregation, limited nanotag stability, sometimes, relatively long time to results, etc. The proposed solutions to those challenges are also discussed in the review. Overall, this review may be interesting not only to bioanalytical chemist, but to medical and life science researchers who are interested in improvement of bioanalyte detection and diagnostics.

In situ food-borne pathogen sensors in a nanoconfined space by surface enhanced Raman scattering

The incidence of disease arising from food-borne pathogens is increasing continuously and has become a global public health problem. Rapid and accurate identification of food-borne pathogens is essential for adopting disease intervention strategies and controlling the spread of epidemics. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has attracted increasing interest due to the attractive features including simplicity, rapid measurement, and high sensitivity. It can be used for rapid in situ sensing of single and multicomponent samples within the nanostructure-based confined space by providing molecular fingerprint information and has been demonstrated to be an effective detection strategy for pathogens. This article aims to review the application of SERS to the rapid sensing of food-borne pathogens in food matrices. The mechanisms and advantages of SERS, and detection strategies are briefly discussed. The latest progress on the use of SERS for rapid detection of food-borne bacteria and viruses is considered, including both the labeled and label-free detection strategies. In closing, according to the current situation regarding detection of food-borne pathogens, the review highlights the challenges faced by SERS and the prospects for new applications in food safety.

Graphical abstract

A dual-model SERS and RRS analytical platform for Pb(II) based on Ag-doped carbon dot catalytic amplification and aptamer regulation

Several carbon dots doping with diferent elements (Ca, Ag, Au) were fabricated and their catalytic properties had been investigated in this paper. It was found that the Ag-doped carbon dots (CDAg) had played a role of mimic enzyme on the reaction of HAuCl4-H2O2 and generated nanogold particles with surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) effects. The aptamer (Apt) can be adsorbed on the CDAg surface and cause the catalysis weakening. When the target Pb(II) was added, it would combine with the Apt to produce firm complexes Pb-Apt and desorb CDAg, which caused its catalytic effect restore. The formed nanogold had a strong RRS peak (at 375 nm) and a high SERS peak (at 1615 cm-1) in the presence of molecular probe (Victoria blue B, VBB). The dual-model signals of SERS and RRS increased linearly with Pb(II) concentration increase within the scope of 0.006-0.46 μmol/L and 0.01-0.46 μmol/L. And their detection limits respectively were 0.0032 μmol/L and 0.0048 μmol/L Pb(II).

Doped N/Ag Carbon Dot Catalytic Amplification SERS Strategy for Acetamiprid Coupled Aptamer with 3,3'-Dimethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diamine Oxidizing Reaction

The as-prepared co-doped N/Ag carbon dot (CDNAg) has strong catalysis of H₂O₂ oxidation of 3,3'-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diamine (DBD). It forms an oxidation product (DBDox) with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity at 1605 cm-1 in the silver nanosol substrate, and a CDNAg catalytic amplification with SERS analytical platform can be structured based on aptamer (Apt) with the DBD oxidizing reaction. For example, the aptamer (Apt) of acetamiprid (ACT) can be adsorbed on the surface of CDNAg, resulting in inhibited catalytic activity, the reduced generation of DBDox, and a weakened SERS intensity. When the target molecule ACT was added, it formed a stable Apt-ACT complex and free CDNAg that restored catalytic activity and linearly enhanced the SERS signal. Based on this, we proposed a new quantitative SERS analysis method for the determination of 0.01⁻1.5 μg ACT with a detection limit of 0.006 μg/L.

Molecular Affinity Agents for Intrinsic Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Sensors

Research at the interface of synthetic materials, biochemistry, and analytical techniques has enabled sensing platforms for applications across many research communities. Herein we review the materials used as affinity agents to create surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors. Our scope includes those affinity agents (antibody, aptamer, small molecule, and polymer) that facilitate the intrinsic detection of targets relevant to biology, medicine, national security, environmental protection, and food safety. We begin with an overview of the analytical technique (SERS) and considerations for its application as a sensor. We subsequently describe four classes of affinity agents, giving a brief overview on affinity, production, attachment chemistry, and first uses with SERS. Additionally, we review the SERS features of the affinity agents, and the analytes detected by intrinsic SERS with that affinity agent class. We conclude with remarks on affinity agent selection for intrinsic SERS sensing platforms.

Ultrasensitive SERS aptasensor for the detection of oxytetracycline based on a gold-enhanced nano-assembly

This paper investigated a new detection method of oxytetracycline (OTC) in aquatic products with ultrasensitive detection limit. The method was constructed on the basis of raman hot spot between gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) (13nm and 80nm diameter respectively) linked by an DNA sequence. The DNA sequence combined with the OTC aptamer including its complementary sequence as well as a stem-loop structure. The raman signal molecule (4-MBA) was modified at the surface of 13nm AuNPs. After the exposure of OTC, the aptamer sequence was preferentially combined with OTC and partially dehybridized with its complementary sequence which led the 13nm AuNPs to get more closer to the 80nm AuNPs. The raman intensity was thus increased for the more enhanced hot spot generated. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the SERS signal was positively related to the OTC concentration with a wide working range of 4.60×10^-2-4.60×10²fg/mL and the limit of detection (LOD) was as low as 4.35×10^-3fg/mL. The recovery rates of fishmeal ranged from 91.29-110.98%. The specificity of this method was further examined, and the results showed that the AuNPs based aptasensor was highly selective. This developed ultrasensitive aptamer-based SERS detection platform suggested that it may be a promising strategy for a variety of sensing applications.

Enhanced Vibrational Spectroscopies as Tools for Small Molecule Biosensing

In this short summary we summarize some of the latest developments in vibrational spectroscopic tools applied for the sensing of (small) molecules and biomolecules in a label-free mode of operation. We first introduce various concepts for the enhancement of InfraRed spectroscopic techniques, including the principles of Attenuated Total Reflection InfraRed (ATR-IR), (phase-modulated) InfraRed Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (IRRAS/PM-IRRAS), and Surface Enhanced Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (SEIRAS). Particular attention is put on the use of novel nanostructured substrates that allow for the excitation of propagating and localized surface plasmon modes aimed at operating additional enhancement mechanisms. This is then be complemented by the description of the latest development in Surface- and Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopies, again with an emphasis on the detection of small molecules or bioanalytes.

A new silver nanochain SERS analytical platform to detect trace hexametaphosphate with a rhodamine S molecular probe

Using AgNO3 as the precursor, stable silver nanochain (AgNC) sols, orange-red in color, were prepared using hydrazine hydrate. A strong surface plasmon resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) peak occurred at 420 nm plus two surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peaks at 410 nm and 510 nm. Rhodamine S (RhS) cationic dye was absorbed on the as-prepared AgNC substrate to obtain a RhS-AgNC surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanoprobe that exhibited a strong SERS peak at 1506 cm(-1) and a strong RRS peak at 375 nm. Upon addition of the analyte sodium hexametaphosphate (HP), it reacted with RhS, which resulted in a decrease in the SERS and RRS peaks that was studied in detail. The decreased SERS and RRS intensities correlated linearly with HP concentration in the range of 0.0125-0.3 µmol/L and 0.05-1.0 µmol/L, with a detection limit of 6 nmol/L and 20 nmol/L HP respectively. Due to advantages of high sensitivity, good selectivity and simple operation, the RhS molecular probes were used to determine HP concentration in real samples.

SERS quantitative analysis of trace HSA with a Coomassie brilliant blue G-250 molecular probe in nanogold sol substrate

A SERS quantitative analysis method was developed for the detection of trace HSA with a Coomassie brilliant blue G-250 probe in nanogold sol substrate.

A new silver nanorod SPR probe for detection of trace benzoyl peroxide

The stable silver nanorod (AgNR) sol in red was prepared by the two-step procedure of NaBH₄-H₂O₂ and citrate heating reduction. The AgNR had a transverse and a longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peak at 338 nm and 480 nm. Meanwhile, two transverse and longitudinal SPR Rayleigh scattering (SPR-RS) peaks at 340 nm and 500 nm were observed firstly using common fluorescence spectrometer. The SPR absorption, RS, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and electron microscope technology were used to study the formation mechanism of red silver nanorods and the SERS enhancement mechanism of nano-aggregation. The AgNR-BPO SPR absorption and AgNR-NaCl-BPO SPR-RS analytical systems were studied to develop two new simple, rapid, and low-cost SPR methods for the detection of trace BPO.

Spectrophotometric Determination of Trace Hg2+ with hsDNA-Modified Nanosilver Probe

Herring sperm DNA (hsDNA) was used to modify 5 nm nanosilver to obtain a hsDNA-nanosilver probe (Ag-hsDNA) for Hg2+. In the presence of Hg2+, it combined with hsDNA to produce Hg2+-hsDNA complexes and to release nanosilver particles, based on formation of stable T-Hg2+-T mismatches. Nanosilver particles aggregated to form larger nanosilver clusters and led the absorption at 412 nm decreased in the pH 6.5 Na2HPO4-NaH2PO4buffer solution and 0.05 mol/L NaCl medium. The decreased absorption (ΔA412nm) is linear to Hg2+concentration in the range of 1.36-10.86μg/L Hg2+, with regress equation of ΔA=0.0987CHg2++0.0624, correlation coefficient of 0.9890, and detection limit of 0.30μg/L Hg2+. The assay was applied to the analysis of Hg2+in wastewater with satisfactory results.

An Immunonanosilver Surface-Enhnaced Resonance Raman Scattering Method for Determination of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin

In pH 6.6 Na2HPO4-citric acid buffer solution and in the presence of KCl, the nanosilver-labeled rabbit anti-hCG (Ag-RAhCG) was aggregated un-specifically to the aggregations. Upon addition of rhodamine 6G (RhG) molecular probe, it adsorb on the surface of Ag-RAhCG aggregations that exhibited the strongest surface-enhnaced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) peak at 613 cm-1. In the optimal condition, the decreased SERRS intensity responds linearly with the concentration of hCG over 0.05-1.75 µg/mL. Based on this, a new and simple SERRS method has been proposed for the determination of hCG in serum samples, with satisfactory results.

Hydroxylamine amplified gold nanoparticle-based aptameric system for the highly selective and sensitive detection of platelet-derived growth factor

This study developed a sensitive and selective aptamer-based chemiluminescent (CL) method for the determination of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB using hydroxylamine enlarged gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). Rabbit anti-human PDGF-BB polyclonal antibody was covalently coupled on the 96-well plate that offers reactive N-oxysuccinimide ester (referred to as NOS group) surface. In the presence of target protein, the biotinylated aptamer was captured on the 96-well plate forming an antibody/PDGF-BB/biotinylated aptamer sandwiched complex, which was followed by the assembly of streptavidin coated Au NPs (streptavidin-gold). Au NPs assembled on the surface of 96-well plate reacted with HAuCl(4) and NH(2)OH, which enabled the catalytic deposition of gold metal onto the Au NPs surfaces. A huge number of Au(3+) ions were released from the hydroxylamine enlarged Au NPs after oxidative gold metal dissolution, which was determined by a simple and sensitive luminol CL reaction. The results showed that the detection limit of the assay is 60 pM of PDGF-BB (corresponding to 6 fmol in a 100 μL volume), which compares favorably with those of other PDGF-BB detection techniques. In addition, this aptameric CL biosensor demonstrated extraordinary specificity. And PDGF-BB has been determined in diluted serum indicating the applicability of this assay.