A portable fiber optics SERS sensing system for rapid detection of Salmonella in turkey products

Rapid and accurate detection of foodborne pathogens is essential for ensuring food safety and preventing disease outbreaks. This work presents the design, integration, and validation of a compact fiber-optic Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensing system for rapid detection of Salmonella in raw poultry products. The system integrates a SERS sensor, laser excitation source, Raman spectrometer, GPS module, and BME280 environmental sensors within a single aluminum enclosure. A Django-based web interface provides secure system control, data visualization, and automated report generation, incorporating HTTPS encryption, CSRF protection, and session management. Raman spectra are acquired and processed to determine positive or negative detection outcomes, supported by environmental and geolocation metadata. Automated preprocessing including noise reduction, baseline correction, and spectral averaging—ensures consistent and high-quality Raman signatures, and extended stability testing confirms robust, long-term system performance. Experimental validation using turkey rinsate spiked with Salmonella enterica demonstrated successful detection down to 10 CFU/mL. The results underscore the system’s capability for rapid, portable, and operator-independent microbial analysis directly in field environments, addressing key limitations of conventional laboratory-dependent detection methods.