Nanostructure-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for sensitive and on-site monitoring of anabolic-androgenic steroids in food and drug products.

The misuse of Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) severely violates the principle of fair competition in sports and jeopardizes the physical and mental health of athlete. In this study, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was employed for the rapid detection of illicitly added AAS. Ag nanoflowers (Ag NFs) were used as substrates, and the addition of potassium iodide as a coagulant further enhanced the Raman signals. This approach effectively detected the characteristic peaks of four different AAS (clostebol, 4-chlorodehydromethyltestosterone, oxymetholone, and methandriol). The method exhibited high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range, enabling in situ detection of AAS illegally added to food and pharmaceutical products, with satisfactory recovery rates. The SERS-integrated analytical platform is capable of simultaneously monitoring illegal AAS additives in three critical matrices: aquatic environments, food systems, and pharmaceutical formulations. It enables on-site, portable operation and achieves a rapid response time of less than 70 s.