Headspace analysis of shelf life of postharvest arugula leaves using a SERS-active fiber

The increasing market demand for Ready-To-Eat fresh produce promotes the keen interest in developing a rapid, sensitive and reliable method determining shelf life of fresh-cut produce. In this study, we developed non-destructive headspace detection approach using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated fibers coupled with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), to detect volatile biochemical changes during postharvest storage arugula leaves. revealed significant spectral freshness decline, shifts around 500, 950 1030 cm?1. These were analyzed principal component analysis (PCA) classify establish prediction model remaining determination. Through analyzing reference standard organic compounds (VOCs), identified dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), methanethiol (MT) 1-propanethiol most likely account signature spectra at late period due growth spoilage bacteria. conclusion, based on SERS provides new strategy monitoring quality thus reducing food waste.