A surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensor for the detection of benzo[a]pyrene in foods based on a gold nanostars@reduced graphene oxide substrate

In this study, a simple and sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor based on gold nanostars@reduced graphene oxide (AuNS@rGO) was successfully developed for the detection of benzo[a]pyrene in foods. The detection strategy involved benzo[a]pyrene adsorption on reduced graphene oxide, followed SERS detection of adsorbed molecules. Owing to the large electric fields generated by the gold nanostars under laser irradiation, which greatly amplified the Raman signals of benzo[a]pyrene, very high sensitivity for the target analyte was achieved. Under optimized conditions, the SERS sensor exhibited a wide linear detection range for benzo[a]pyrene (from 0.1 μg L-1 to 10000 μg L-1), with a low limit of detection of 0.0028 μg L-1. Chicken samples spiked with benzo[a]pyrene were assayed using the sensor, with recoveries ranging from 89.20% to 100.80%. The benzo[a]pyrene content in roasted mutton sample was quantified using the SERS sensor and a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method, with similar results being obtained.