Raman and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as a predicitive tool for malaria diagnosis
Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Malaria is an epidemic that causes death mostly among children and pregnant women.Early detection of malaria is imperative to enhance drug administration which will avert the numerous deaths that occur.A malaria detection technique should be sensitive, specific, cost effective and takes less time for diagnosis.In this work, Raman and SERS was used as a technique for malaria detection by modeling it with hematin and methemoglobin in a solution of NaOH.A detection limit of 160 nM with SERS which is approximately equal to 894 parasites that occur per every microliter of infected blood sample was achieved with both hematin and methemoglobin.In a similar vain, the laser power dependence of SERS spectrum was found at low concentrations of hematin and observed that some peaks that were hidden became visible.This was indicative that the laser power should be optimally chosen in order not to burn the sample under investigation and as well not suppress the peaks.Sample preparation and spectra acquisition time was about 30 minutes.It can therefore be speculated that SERS can be used in the early detection of malaria parasites that is the ring stage of infection.We can also predict that the SERS technique can be used at malaria endemic areas due to its relatively short time of sample preparation and spectrum acquisition.Preface I first thank the Almighty God for his guidance and grace throughout my studies.I would also thank Professor Pasi Vahimaa for his decision to supervise my thesis and his contributions to it.I am also grateful to my supervisors, Dr. Tarmo Nuutinen and Antti Matikainen (M.Sc.) for their immense contributions throughout the measurement process and thesis drafting.To all at the Department of Physics and Mathematics whose guidance and support has brought me this far i appreciate.I thank my parents for their constant support and prayer.I also express my greatest gratitude to all and sundry whose efforts cannot be overlooked especially Awuni Emmanuel Kolog (M.Sc
Author: Kyei Kwarkye
Language: English
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3097247644