title: On sample preparation for surface-enhanced raman scattering (SERS) of bacteria and the source of spectral features of the spectra.
abstract: The characterization, detection, and identification of bacteria using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is drawing considerable attention due to its ability to provide rich intrinsic molecular information about molecules and molecular structures in close proximity to noble metal surfaces. However, sample preparation methods and experimental conditions must be carefully evaluated in order to obtain healthy, interpretable, and comparable results. In this study, several bacterial species including E. coli, B. megaterium, S. aureus, and S. cohnii were systematically evaluated to demonstrate the source of the spectral features of bacterial SERS spectra. It was found that the features observed in bacterial SERS spectra originate mostly from the bacteria surface with some contributions from metabolic activity or molecular species detached from the bacteria surface during sample preparation.
authors.affiliation: Yeditepe University, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Kayisdagi, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kahraman
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keseroğlu
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Culha
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D050296:Microbial Viability; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D012834:Silver