In situ surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection of biomolecules in the deep ocean

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 620; p. 156854
• Main Authors: Wang, Siyu, Pan, Ruhao, He, Wanying, Li, Lianfu, Yang, Yang, Du, Zengfeng, Luan, Zhendong, Zhang, Xin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 30.05.2023
• Subjects: Biomolecules; Cold seep vents; Raman insertion probe; Surface-enhanced Raman scattering; Biomolecules; Surface-enhanced Raman scattering; Raman insertion probe; Cold seep vents
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.156854

Conceptual diagram of the in-situ SERS detection of the microbial community in deep-sea cold seep vents: Conceptual design of RiP-SERS on the right side of the panel; photo of in situ detection of RiP-SERS on left side of panel. [Display omitted] •A new type of surface-enhanced Raman scattering insertion probe (RiP-SERS) applicable to the deep sea was successfully developed.•The Raman spectrum of biomolecules in deep-sea cold seep vents was successfully obtained.•The SERS substrate was not remarkably affected by the change in depth (pressure) in the deep sea.•The successful application of SERS technology to deep-sea in situ biomolecule detection has added a new method for deep-sea biomolecule detection in the future. In this study, we successfully developed a new type of surface-enhanced Raman scattering insertion probe (RiP-SERS) applicable to the deep sea using previously prepared Coccinella septempunctata-shaped SERS substrate, and successfully obtained the Raman spectrum of biomolecules in deep-sea cold seep vents. The experiment proved that the SERS substrate was not remarkably affected by the change in depth (pressure) in the deep sea; therefore, it had excellent pressure resistance. More importantly, Raman peaks of various biomolecules, including acetyl-CoA, β-carotene, and four amino acids, were successfully collected from the microbial communities at the seawater-sediment interface of cold seep vents. The successful application of SERS technology to deep-sea in situ biomolecule detection has added a new method for deep-sea biomolecule detection in the future. Meanwhile, the SERS substrate can withstand a complex deep-sea cold-seep environment (pressure, salinity, pH, and metal-salt presence), which also means that it can be applied to the detection of macromolecules in complex industrial systems.