Applications of Raman Spectroscopy in Agricultural Products and Food Analysis: A Review

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy has been gaining popularity as an analytical tool due to advances in development of Raman spectrometry and the power of personal computers. Due to to its narrow and highly resolved bands, Raman spectroscopy allows for nondestructive extraction of chemical and physical information about samples and aids in rapid on-line analysis without any special sample preparation. In this review, Raman spectroscopic techniques such as dispersive Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and spatially offset Raman spectroscopy are briefly introduced. In addition, applications of Raman spectroscopy are explored, within various fields of agricultural products and food, including fruits and vegetables, crops, meat and dairy products, oil, as well as beverages. In addition, some discussion on the importance of Raman spectroscopy as fundamental and applied research of agricultural products and food is provided.

Keywords:

• Raman spectroscopy
• agricultural products
• food
• quality and safety control

Acknowledgments

We are grateful for the financial support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30825027).