A ready-to-use microsensor based on SERS technique for deltamethrin and its metabolite determination toward point-of-care diagnostics

A novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based strategy is described for the rapid identification and quantitative determination of deltamethrin and its metabolite 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde in biological samples. A multifunctional sensor was developed using metal-organic framework-801 (MOF-801) and silver nanoflowers (Ag NFs), synthesizing an Ag NFs/MOF-801 composite. This composite is a dual-function material, acting as both a SERS substrate and an adsorbent, which was integrated into a portable 10-well plate. The addition of MOF-801 enhances enrichment selectivity and efficiency, while the abundant tips and rough surfaces of Ag NFs significantly improve SERS sensitivity. The determination of deltamethrin revealed a marked linear relationship between the SERS signal intensity and the logarithmic analyte concentration, with R-values falling within a range 0.959 to 0.972, with detection limits between 0.07 and 0.15 ppb, indicating suitability for clinical applications. This method successfully analyzed a patient sample, showing strong agreement with conventional chromatographic results while ensuring both practicality and accuracy. Notably, the detection process does not necessitate any sample preparation and can be completed within five min, highlighting its potential as an efficient and user-friendly POCD sensor for diagnosing poisoning in emergency settings. Section Graphical