A novel strategy based on dynamic surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (D-SERS) for the discrimination and quantification of hydroxyl-sanshools in the pericarps of genus Zanthoxylum

Abstract

The pericarps of genus Zanthoxylum (PZ) are used as a condiment in Chinese cuisine, while hydroxyl-sanshools (HS) are primary components evoking specific pungent sensations. This study developed a novel method for distinguishing the PZ species and detecting HS in PZ by combining dynamic surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (D-SERS) with a homogeneous gold nanorods (AuNRs) substrate. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) separated the D-SERS spectra data of 26 PZ samples into two groups. The concentration of hydroxyl-α-sanshool (α-SOH) in a range of 0.1–12 mg mL−1 displayed an excellent linear relation with the peak intensity, while the detection limit at 0.03 mg mL−1 the requirements for detecting HS in currently known PZ. Compared to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, the established method demonstrated excellent accuracy in PZ samples. This study provided an alternative method based on D-SERS coupled with AuNRs for rapidly and accurately determinating HS in PZ samples.