Plasmon-Tuned Silver Colloids for SERRS Analysis of Methemoglobin with Preserved Nativity

Optically tuned silver nanoparticles (AgNP's) functionalized with omega-mercaptoalkanoic acids are synthesized and used as a signal amplifier for the surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) study of heme cofactor in methemoglobin (metHb). Even though both mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)- and mercaptononanoic acid (MNA)-functionalized AgNP's exemplify vastly enhanced SERRS signal of metHb, MNA-AgNP's amplify the SERRS signal amid preservation of the nativity of the heme pocket, unlike MPA-AgNP's. The electrostatic interaction between MNA-AgNP's and metHb leads to instant signal enhancement with a Raman enhancement factor (EFSERS) of 4.2 x 10(3). Additionally, a Langmuir adsorption isotherm has been employed for the adsorption of metHb on the MNA-AgNP surface, which provides the real surface coverage and equilibrium constant (K) of metHb as 139 nM and 3.6 X 10(8) M-1, respectively. The lowest detection limit of 10 nM for metHb has been demonstrated using MNA-AgNP's besides retaining the nativity of the heme pocket.