Ultrasensitive and rapid detection for multiple dopings in saliva and urine using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Abuse of dopings is one of the serious issues affecting competitive sports globally. Traditional means of analysis for doping detection face the challenges of costly, bulky, and complicated pretreatment, as well as long detection times. Therefore, it is critical to achieve on-site and rapid detection for dopings. Herein, we proposed a strategy for ultrasensitive and quick detection of multiple dopings using a combination of liquid phase extraction and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The clenbuterol, methadone, oxycodone, and chlordiazepoxide were four dopings, which could be detected conveniently in human saliva and urine using the above approach. The limit of detection for clenbuterol, methadone, oxycodone, and chlordiazepoxide in saliva were 25, 10, 50, and 25 ng/mL, respectively, and in urine, 25, 5, 50, and 25 ng/mL. Finally, in about a minute, four dopings at concentration of 100 ng/mL in saliva and urine can be detected accurately and synchronously. This synchronous detection strategy further demonstrates the enormous advantages of SERS in on-site and rapid detection of multiple drugs.