title: SERS as an analytical tool in environmental science: The detection of sulfamethoxazole in the nanomolar range by applying a microfluidic cartridge setup.
abstract: Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is a commonly applied antibiotic for treating urinary tract infections; however, allergic reactions and skin eczema are known side effects that are observed for all sulfonamides. Today, this molecule is present in drinking and surface water sources. The allowed concentration in tap water is 2·10-7mol L-1. SMX could unintentionally be ingested by healthy people when drinking contaminated tap water, representing unnecessary drug intake. To assess the quality of tap water, fast, specific and sensitive detection methods are required, in which consequence measures for improving the purification of water might be initiated in the short term. Herein, the quantitative detection of SMX down to environmentally and physiologically relevant concentrations in the nanomolar range by employing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and a microfluidic cartridge system is presented. By applying surface-water samples as matrices, the detection of SMX down to 2.2·10-9mol L-1is achieved, which illustrates the great potential of our proposed method in environmental science.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany; Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patze
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Huebner
authors.affiliation: Analytik Jena AG, Konrad-Zuse-Straße 1, 07745 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liebold
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany; Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany; Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany. Electronic address: dana.cialla-may@uni-jena.de.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cialla-May
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany; Institute of Physical Chemistry and Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Juergen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Popp
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis*; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D060766:Drinking Water; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole
keywords: Environmental safety; Microfluidics; Molecular orientation; Sulfamethoxazole detection; Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy