Melamine in Milk with Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract

Melamine is rich in nitrogen and easily confound with natural protein present in dairy products. It is added to diluted milk to increase the protein concentration. However, interaction of melamine and cyanuric acid in our bladder triggers the formation of kidney stones, which results in acute kidney failure. The significance of this is accentuated in the case of infant formula, which is the sole source of food for infants, with several feedings a day. Raman spectroscopy is a photonic method capable of identifying unknown molecule through a biochemical fingerprint, from its scattering spectrum. It is simple, rapid, portable and pre-treatment is unnecessary. Our work here explores detection for traces of melamine in infant formula using Raman spectroscopy with gold substrate. A Raman spectra unique of melamine is first established. The characteristic peak at 676cm− 1 signatures the Raman fingerprint for melamine. Then mixtures of milk and melamine, in liquid and powder form, are examined. The characteristic peak of melamine is found in the spectra of all the mixtures adulterated with melamine. It can be concluded that Raman spectroscopy with gold substrate is capable to detect for traces of melamine in infant formula, in different forms, to ensure a safe complementary and substitute for breast milk.KeywordscomponentSERSMelamineRaman spectrumSERS substratePrincipal Component Analysis