In situ surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection of biomolecules in the deep ocean
Siyu Wang, Ruhao Pan, Wanying He, Lianfu Li, Yang Yang, Zengfeng Du, Zhendong Luan, Xin Zhang
Abstract
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.