A simple enzyme-free SERS sensor for the rapid and sensitive detection of hydrogen peroxide in food.

A simple enzyme-free method based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was developed for the first time to detect H2O2 in food by etching a self-assembled film of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on a glass substrate. H2O2 is able to oxidize Ag NPs to yield Ag+ ions; this process reduces the size of the Ag NPs and ultimately leads to a decrease in the SERS signal of the Raman probe. The intensities of the SERS spectra were strongly correlated with H2O2 concentration, which indicated that the Ag NP self-assembled SERS sensor can be successfully used for the quantitative analysis of H2O2. The main advantage of this SERS sensor is that it can directly detect H2O2 without introducing complex enzymatic reactions. This easy-to-operate and fast-response detection technology has great potential for the sensitive detection of H2O2 in food.