What is Raman Spectroscopy?
Raman spectroscopy is an analytical technique that identifies molecular vibrations by scattering laser light off a material. It provides a molecular fingerprint, allowing for the identification and study of substances. Non-destructive and versatile, it’s used across various fields, from chemistry to forensic analysis, for both qualitative and quantitative assessments.
The Study:
A study explored how handheld spatially offset Raman spectroscopy can spot drugs hidden inside fruits and vegetables, a trick often used to smuggle drugs through busy places like airports.
The portable nature, speed, and chemical precision of handheld Raman spectroscopy make it ideal for drug analysis. Researchers gathered spatially offset Raman spectra from six substances, including cocaine and its impurities.
They tested drugs alone, in transparent bags, and hidden in foods like green peppers, pomegranates, potatoes, and zucchinis. They then analysed these spectra with various algorithms. The results revealed successful drug detection in three out of four food types.
Pomegranates posed a challenge due to their thick skin and spongy inside, making detection difficult.
An instrumental hit quality index algorithm immediately identified drugs in the successful cases with accuracy over 80%.
Correlation in wavelength space showed strong matches between the tested and reference substances, despite some false negatives from noisy spectra. Principal component analysis clearly distinguished drugs across different foods.
The study highlights the effectiveness of handheld spatially offset Raman spectroscopy in finding drugs concealed in food. Future efforts will broaden its use to more substances and foods and aim to quantify drug concentrations. This research enhances forensic science and sheds light on detecting hidden drugs in complex situations.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924203124000158?mc_cid=9d8e9a5f65&mc_eid=96c196b96d
