This paper discusses the applicability of optical and vibrational spectroscopies for the identification and characterization of the T-2 mycotoxin. Vibrational states and electronic structure of the T-2 toxin molecules are simulated using a density-functional quantum-mechanical approach. A numerical experiment aimed at comparing the predicted structural, vibrational and electronic properties of the T-2 toxin with analogous characteristics of the structurally similar 3-deacetylcalonectrin is performed, and the characteristic spectral features that can be used as fingerprints of the T-2 toxin are determined. It is shown that theoretical studies of the structure and spectroscopic features of trichothecene molecules facilitate the development of methods for the detection and characterization of the metabolites.

In this study, ZnTe crystal was applied to provide precise thermal sensing for cryogenic temperatures. Multiple techniques, namely Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopies, were used to broaden the operating temperature range and improve the reliability of the proposed thermometers. Raman-based temperature sensing could be applied in the range of 20–100 K, while luminescence-based thermometry could be utilized in a narrower range of 20–70 K. However, the latter strategy provides better relative thermal sensitivity and temperature resolution. The best thermal performances based on a single temperature-dependent parameter attain S_r = 3.82% K⁻¹ and ΔT = 0.12 K at T = 50 K. The synergy between multiple linear regression and multiparametric thermal sensing demonstrated for Raman-based thermometry results in a ten-fold improvement of _Sr and a two-fold enhancement of ΔT. All studies performed testify that the ZnTe crystal is a promising multimode contactless optical sensor for cryogenic thermometry.

At present, one of the critical problems in agriculture is the identification of cereals, including oats, infected by Fusarium spp. genus fungi. Timely diagnostics can prevent the further disease spread and help to identify the already stored infected grains. In this regard, the aim of this work is to develop the spectroscopic approaches that determine the infected grains. As an object of the investigation the “Zalp” cultivar oat, both healthy and infected grains of the 2020 harvest were chosen. The spectroscopic diagnostics included FTIR in the mid-IR region, Raman, and luminescence methods. Combination of chemometric tools with FTIR and Raman spectroscopy allowed obtaining approaches based on identified characteristic spectral features which may be used as infection markers. These approaches make it possible to detect the infection on the grain husk. The carotenoid type fungi pigment was identified within the resonance conditions of Raman scattering excitation. The luminescence study of infected oat husk revealed the presence of characteristic chlorophyll α peak which is absent in healthy grain husk.

The conversion of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) into advanced functional materials offers a promising route for producing unique nanomaterials. MOF-derived systems have the potential to overcome the drawbacks of MOFs, such as low electrical conductivity and poor structural stability, which have hindered their real-world applications in certain cases. In this study, laser scribing was used for pyrolysis of a Cu-based MOF ([Cu₄{1,4-C₆H₄(COO)₂}₃(4,4′-bipy)₂]_n) to synthesize a Cu-CuO@C composite on the surface of a screen-printed electrode (SPE). Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used for the investigation of the morphology and composition of the fabricated electrodes. The electrochemical properties of Cu-CuO@C/SPE were studied by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The proposed flexible electrochemical Cu-CuO@C/SPE sensor for the simultaneous detection of hydroquinone and catechol exhibited good sensitivity, broad linear range (1–500 μM), and low limits of detection (0.39 μM for HQ and 0.056 μM for CT).

Anhydrofusarubin is a naphthoquinone pigment synthesized by a number of Fusarium genus fungi. Being a biologically active substance, it demonstrates promising antibiotic properties and rather good hypothetical effectiveness against certain types of cancer. In this regard, an important task arises to study the structural properties and spectral manifestation of Anhydrofusarubin in order to identify and characterize this substance in terms of synthesis and application purposes. In this regard, the aim of the article was to study the structure of the Anhydrofusarubin molecule and its structure-property correlation. The density functional theory was used to investigate the optical properties and stability of the molecular structures. The computational results obtained with B3LYP and wb97XD exchange correlation functionals and the triple zeta basis sets were compared with available experimental data. In addition to the ground state structure, a tautomer with slightly higher energy (by 0.78–0.9 kcal/mol) and a relatively small potential barrier was found. Also, the investigation of flexibility of the pyran ring reveals the presence of two conformational enantiomer forms, being in good agreement with the recent experimental data on the crystal structure. The vibrational and UV-visible absorption spectra were simulated and interpreted.

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) have emerged as versatile, sustainable media for the synthesis of nanomaterials due to their low toxicity, tunability, and biocompatibility. This study develops a one-step method to modify commercially available screen-printed electrodes (SPE) using laser-induced pyrolysis of DES, consisting of choline chloride and tartaric acid with dissolved nickel acetate and dispersed graphene. The electrodes were patterned using a 532 nm continuous-wave laser for the in situ formation of Ni nanoparticles decorated on graphene sheets directly on the SPE surface (Ni-G/SPE). The synthesis parameters, specifically laser power and graphene concentration, were optimized using the Nelder–Mead method to produce modified Ni-G/SPEs with maximized electrochemical response to dopamine. Electrochemical characterization of the developed sensor by differential pulse voltammetry revealed its broad linear detection range from 0.25 to 100 μM and high sensitivity with a low detection limit of 0.095 μM. These results highlight the potential of laser-assisted DES synthesis to advance electrochemical sensing technologies, particularly for the detection of biogenic amines.