Concentration measurements of multiple analytes in human sera by near-infrared laser Raman spectroscopy

Our primary goal in this study is to demonstrate that near-infrared Raman s pectroscopy is feasible as a rapid and reagentless analytic method for clin ical diagnostics. Raman spectra were collected on human sera by use of a 78 5-nm excitation laser and st single-stage holographic spectrometer. A parti al-least-squares method was used to predict the analyte concentrations of i nterest. The prediction errors of total protein, albumin, triglyceride, and glucose in human sera ranged from 1.0% to 10%, which are highly acceptable for clinical diagnosis, of their mean physiological levels. For investigat ing the potential application of near-infrared Raman spectroscopy in screen ing of therapeutical drugs and substances of abuse the concentrations of ac etaminophen, ethanol, and codeine in water solution were measured in the sa me fashion. The errors of the Raman tests for acetaminophen and ethanol are lower than their toxic levels in human serum, and the sensitivity for dete ction of codeine fails to reach its toxic level. (C) 1999 Optical Society o f America.