Direct molecule-specific glucose detection by Raman spectroscopy based on photonic crystal fiber

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2012 Jan;402(2):687-91. doi: 10.1007/s00216-011-5575-1. Epub 2011 Nov 27.

Abstract

This paper reports the first step toward the development of a glucose biosensor based on Raman spectroscopy and a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) probe. Historically, it has been very challenging to detect glucose directly by Raman spectroscopy due to its inherently small Raman scattering cross-section. In this work, we report the first quantitative glucose Raman detection in the physiological concentration range (0-25 mM) with a low laser power (2 mW), a short integration time (30 s), and an extremely small sampling volume (~50 nL) using the highly sensitive liquid-filled PCF probe. As a proof of concept, we also demonstrate the molecular specificity of this technique in the presence of a competing sugar, such as fructose. High sensitivity, flexibility, reproducibility, low cost, small sampling volume, and in situ remote sensing capability make PCF a very powerful platform for potential glucose detection based on Raman spectroscopy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Fiber Optic Technology* / instrumentation
  • Glucose / analysis*
  • Lasers
  • Molecular Probes / chemistry*
  • Photons*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman* / instrumentation

Substances

  • Molecular Probes
  • Glucose