Quantitative Sensing of Domoic Acid from Shellfish Using Biological Photonic Crystal Enhanced SERS Substrates

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Seafood biotoxin monitoring is crucial for public health and understanding algal blooms.
• Conventional methods for toxin detection are often limited by sensitivity, complex protocols, and high costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, sensitive, and economical method for the quantitative assessment of marine neurotoxin, domoic acid (DA).
• To establish an extraction-free, rapid onsite detection routine for biotoxins in seafood.

Main Methods:

• Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was employed using silver nanoparticle-enriched diatomaceous earth as a photonic crystal substrate.
• Domoic acid (DA) was quantified in spiked water and crab meat samples.
• Standard calibration curves and chemometric analyses (PCA, PLS regression) were utilized.

Main Results:

• The SERS method achieved a lowest detectable concentration of 1 ppm DA, below regulatory limits.
• Rapid measurements were completed within 1 minute.
• A reliable calibration curve was established for quantitative analysis in seafood samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed SERS-based methodology provides a sensitive, simple, and economical approach for seafood biotoxin assessment.
• This technique facilitates rapid, extraction-free, and onsite monitoring, aiding in food safety and predictive toxin modeling.