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Raman Spectroscopy Instrumentation: Overview01:26

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A conventional Raman spectrophotometer includes a laser source, a sample holding system, a wavelength selector, and a detector.
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Direct SERS Detection of Nucleic Acids in the Presence of Spermine: A Unified Nanoparticle Platform Allows for the Elucidation of Surface Adsorption Hierarchies.

The journal of physical chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and interfaces·2025
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Differentiating Structurally Similar Fentanyl Analogs by Comparing Density Functional Theory (DFT) Calculations and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Results.

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Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Author Spotlight: An Efficient Methodology to Confidently Differentiate and Characterize Fentanyl Analogs
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Multivariate Analysis Aided Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (MVA-SERS) Multiplex Quantitative Detection of Trace

Ling Wang1, Mario O Vendrell-Dones1, Chiara Deriu1

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA.

Applied Spectroscopy
|July 28, 2021
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a rapid and sensitive method using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect fentanyl in illicit drug samples. The technique accurately quantifies fentanyl in cocaine and heroin mixtures, crucial for public health and law enforcement.

Keywords:
FentanylSERSSPLS-DAchemometricscocaineheroinsuper partial least squares regression discriminate analysissurface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

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Area of Science:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Forensic Science
  • Spectroscopy

Background:

  • Illicit drug seizures frequently contain fentanyl, a potent opioid, mixed with cocaine and heroin.
  • Current screening methods for fentanyl adulterants can be time-consuming and lack sensitivity.
  • Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) offers a promising alternative for rapid, trace-level detection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantitatively determine fentanyl in heroin and cocaine mixtures using SERS.
  • To develop and optimize a rapid, sensitive assay for fentanyl detection in real-world samples.
  • To validate the use of a handheld Raman system for forensic applications.

Main Methods:

  • Samples were solubilized and interacted with aggregated colloidal nanostars.
  • Quantitative analysis was performed using a point-and-shoot handheld Raman system.
  • Principal component analysis and SPLS-DA were employed for multiplex analysis of mixtures.

Main Results:

  • The SERS protocol detected pure fentanyl down to 0.20 ± 0.06 ng/mL.
  • Pure cocaine and heroin were distinguished at ng/mL levels.
  • Fentanyl was determined as low as 0.05% in simulated heroin and 0.10% in simulated cocaine samples.

Conclusions:

  • SERS provides a rapid and sensitive method for the quantitative determination of fentanyl in illicit drug mixtures.
  • The developed protocol, utilizing a handheld Raman system, is effective for forensic screening.
  • Advanced data analysis techniques enable accurate detection of fentanyl adulteration in complex samples.