Application of Raman spectroscopy in fisheries and aquaculture

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy is a molecular fingerprinting tool with strong potential for non-destructive screening of aquatic foods and aquaculture-related samples. This critical review examines conventional dispersive Raman, FT-Raman, SERS, SORS, confocal Raman microscopy, and portable systems across the farm-to-table value chain. Rather than treating reported accuracies as directly comparable, the review organizes evidence by matrix, target, excitation strategy, sampling geometry, preprocessing, validation design, and decision purpose. Particular attention is given to species authentication, freshness, contaminants and adulterants, nutritional composition, disease and pathogen detection, aquaculture water and physiological monitoring, post-harvest processing, microplastics, and portable deployment. The review also evaluates fluorescence, matrix effects, SERS reproducibility, small-sample machine learning, model transferability, regulatory validation, and engineering constraints of field systems. The evidence supports Raman spectroscopy as a promising alternative or complementary screening technology rather than a replacement for established reference methods. A phased roadmap is proposed in which standardized sampling, matrix-matched calibration, external validation, interoperable spectral libraries, and confirmatory testing are prerequisites for regulatory and industrial adoption.