Glucose detection through surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy: A review.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Glucose detection is critical for diabetes diagnosis and treatment.
• Optical sensing methods, including Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), offer low-cost, portable, and minimally invasive glucose monitoring.
• Direct glucose detection via SERS faces challenges due to poor analyte adsorption and low molecular cross-sections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of SERS-based glucose sensors over the past decade.
• To analyze sensing mechanisms, rational design strategies, and sensing properties for glucose detection.
• To categorize and discuss various SERS approaches for glucose sensing.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature (last 10 years) on SERS for glucose sensing.
• Analysis of intrinsic and extrinsic sensing strategies.
• Categorization of sensors into SERS active platforms, functionalized surfaces, boronic acid-based sensors, and enzymatic biosensors.

Main Results:

• SERS offers high sensitivity and specificity for glucose detection.
• Various strategies have been developed to overcome challenges in direct glucose detection.
• Four main categories of SERS glucose sensors have emerged, each with distinct mechanisms and applications.

Conclusions:

• SERS-based glucose sensors have significantly advanced in sensitivity and specificity.
• Continued research into rational design and novel strategies is crucial for overcoming existing challenges.
• Future outlook focuses on improving sensor performance and clinical applicability for diabetes management.