Trends in Vibrational Spectroscopy: NIRS and Raman Techniques for Health and Food Safety Control.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Food Science

Background:

• Growing demand for reliable food safety controls and public health protection.
• Need for sensitive, robust, and selective analytical strategies in food and clinical analysis.
• Increasing interest in non-destructive, rapid, on-site, and environmentally safe methodologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• Review trends in vibrational spectroscopy for food safety and health control.
• Highlight the role of miniaturized and handheld instruments.
• Discuss advancements enabling real-time decision-making systems.

Main Methods:

• Vibrational spectroscopy techniques including Raman, SERS, mid- and near-infrared spectroscopy, and hyperspectral imaging (HSI).
• Focus on miniaturization, portability, nanostructured substrates (for SERS), and deep learning (for HSI).
• Integration of chemometrics and machine learning for classification and quantification, with attention to calibration transfer and validation.

Main Results:

• Vibrational spectroscopy is rapidly expanding beyond lab settings for on-the-go and in-line food safety applications.
• Key trends include instrument miniaturization, SERS for trace contaminant detection, HSI with deep learning for screening, and enhanced chemometrics/machine learning integration.
• Advances are paving the way for real-time decision-making systems.

Conclusions:

• Vibrational spectroscopy, particularly handheld and miniaturized instruments, is a powerful tool for modern food safety and health monitoring.
• Emerging technologies like SERS and HSI, coupled with AI, offer enhanced detection and screening capabilities.
• Continued development in calibration, validation, and regulatory readiness will accelerate the adoption of these technologies.