It is demonstrated that Raman Spectroscopy is a fast and sensitive tool for the detection and classification of molecular species. The vibrational spectrum inherently serves as fingerprint of the chemical composition of each sample a thus makes identification and early warning of threats possible. Also microorganisms in areas susceptible to bacterial contamination can be sensed. However, to increase the sensitivity and selectivity of the technique various solutions have been studied such as Resonant Raman Spectroscopy or Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). In this work we present our results on the application of the SERS technique for the characterization of Bacillus atrophaeus spores, a biological and genetic simulant of the deadly bacterium Bacillus anthracis, already used in terroristic attacks in 2001 against U.S. media and government offices causing the death of five people and the infection of other 22. This work is part of the RAMBO project (Rapid Air particle Monitoring against Biological threats) whose ultimate goal is the development of an advanced sensor with high performances, capable of detecting few spores or bacilli of dangerous species with good selectivity and reliability so as to be used as an early warning sensor. In this context, the SERS technique allows to recognize the characteristics vibrational bands of the spores with a scan duration of only few seconds, on amounts of few tenths of spores or less, demonstrating how it can be considered an effective and fast technique for early warning of biological threats as it has been considered in the RAMBO project. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015.
Characterization of bacilli spores by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, a fast and reliable technique for early warning of biological threats
Palucci, A.;Rufoloni, A.;Lecci, S.;Addari, L.;Spizzichino, V.;Lai, A.;Almaviva, S.
2015-01-01
Abstract
It is demonstrated that Raman Spectroscopy is a fast and sensitive tool for the detection and classification of molecular species. The vibrational spectrum inherently serves as fingerprint of the chemical composition of each sample a thus makes identification and early warning of threats possible. Also microorganisms in areas susceptible to bacterial contamination can be sensed. However, to increase the sensitivity and selectivity of the technique various solutions have been studied such as Resonant Raman Spectroscopy or Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). In this work we present our results on the application of the SERS technique for the characterization of Bacillus atrophaeus spores, a biological and genetic simulant of the deadly bacterium Bacillus anthracis, already used in terroristic attacks in 2001 against U.S. media and government offices causing the death of five people and the infection of other 22. This work is part of the RAMBO project (Rapid Air particle Monitoring against Biological threats) whose ultimate goal is the development of an advanced sensor with high performances, capable of detecting few spores or bacilli of dangerous species with good selectivity and reliability so as to be used as an early warning sensor. In this context, the SERS technique allows to recognize the characteristics vibrational bands of the spores with a scan duration of only few seconds, on amounts of few tenths of spores or less, demonstrating how it can be considered an effective and fast technique for early warning of biological threats as it has been considered in the RAMBO project. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
