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Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

, Volume 391, Issue 5, pp 1907–1916 | Cite as

Towards chemical analysis of nanostructures in biofilms II: tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of alginates

  • Thomas Schmid
  • Andreas Messmer
  • Boon-Siang Yeo
  • Weihua Zhang
  • Renato Zenobi
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

This study examines the feasibility of using tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) for label-free chemical characterization of nanostructures in biological systems. For this purpose, a well-defined model system consisting of calcium alginate fibers is studied. In a companion paper, calcium alginate fibers and their network structures were shown to be a good model for the extracellular polysaccharides of biofilms at the nanoscale. TERS analysis of biological macromolecules, such as alginates, is complicated by heterogeneity in their sequence, molecular weight, and conformations, their small Raman cross-section, and the large number of functional groups, which can chemically interact with the silver surface of the tip and cause significant band shifts. Due to these effects, Raman frequencies in TERS spectra of biopolymers do not necessarily resemble band positions in the normal Raman spectrum of the bulk material, as is the case for less complex samples (e.g., dye molecules) studied so far. Additionally, analyte decomposition due to laser heating can have a significant influence, and carbon contamination signals can sometimes even overwhelm the weak analyte signals. Based on the investigation of alginates, strategies for spectra correction, choice of appropriate reference samples, and data interpretation are presented. With this approach, characteristic frequency ranges and specific marker bands can be found for biological macromolecules that can be employed for their identification in complex environments.

Figure

TERS spectrum of a calcium alginate fiber bundle

Keywords

Alginate Biological samples Biofilm Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) Atomic force microscopy (AFM) 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

Financial support for our work from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (to Thomas Schmid), the ETH Zürich, and the Gebert Rüf Stiftung (grant no. P-085/03) is greatly appreciated.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  • Thomas Schmid
    • 1
  • Andreas Messmer
    • 1
  • Boon-Siang Yeo
    • 1
  • Weihua Zhang
    • 1
  • Renato Zenobi
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Chemistry and Applied BiosciencesETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland

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