Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Acrylamide Detection Using Gold Nanoparticles on Titanium Oxide Nanowires: A Green Analytical Method

Acrylamide (Aam) is a potentially carcinogenic compound formed in heat‐processed, starch‐rich foods, posing significant food safety concerns even at low dietary exposures. Food safety regulations mandate regular testing for Aam at the point of food production; however, current analytical methods for Aam are time‐consuming and costly. In this study, we developed a green, label‐free analytical method based on surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) using gold nanoparticles (Au NP) grown on titanium oxide (TiO 2 ) nanowires (NWs) as the active substrate. The TiO 2 NWs provide a scaffold with high surface‐area for uniform Au NP placement, producing a substrate that enhances the Raman signal of Aam through plasmonic effects. A portable, low‐cost Raman spectrometer was used for data acquisition. The method demonstrated a broad detection range from 10 μM to 10 mM, relevant to the regulatory benchmarks for common foods. The analytical performance of the sensor was validated using chemometrics. This study establishes a sustainable and effective SERS‐based approach for future monitoring of Aam in food, supporting improved food safety and public health protection.