Detection of ethyl carbamate in liquors using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Nanomaterials

Background:

• Ethyl carbamate (EC) is a potential carcinogen found in fermented and stored alcoholic beverages.
• Accurate and sensitive detection methods for EC are crucial for ensuring beverage safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a quantitative detection method for ethyl carbamate (EC) in alcoholic beverages.
• To utilize surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with novel nanostructure substrates for enhanced EC detection.

Main Methods:

• Preparation and evaluation of flower-shaped silver nanostructures and silver nanocubes as SERS substrates.
• Optimization of SERS parameters for EC detection, focusing on the characteristic band at 857 cm⁻¹.
• Establishment of a linear regression model for EC quantification over a wide concentration range (10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁹ M).

Main Results:

• Flower-shaped silver nanostructures exhibited superior Raman enhancement for EC compared to silver nanocubes.
• A reproducible SERS signal at 857 cm⁻¹ was identified as the optimal band for EC detection.
• The developed SERS method demonstrated high sensitivity and reliability, validated by testing a real alcoholic beverage sample.

Conclusions:

• Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with flower-shaped silver nanostructures provides a highly sensitive and effective platform for the quantitative detection of ethyl carbamate in alcoholic beverages.
• This method extends the quantitative application scope for EC determination, contributing to improved food safety analysis.
• The validated method offers a feasible and reliable approach for monitoring EC levels in commercial alcoholic products.