Ian Johnston

Abstract The Western diet is rich in saturated fats and refined sugars. Overconsumption of this diet can lead to obesity, metabolic and cardiovascular disease, as well as certain types of cancers. Evidence suggests that this diet also has adverse effects on cognitive function. Regular consumption of fats and sugars is associated with faster rates of age-related cognitive decline in middle age and older adults.

Introduction Click to copy section linkSection link copied! Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is a novel high-sensitivity spectral analysis technique frequently employed for detecting substances at ultralow concentrations, even at the single molecule level.

1. Background Materials with antimicrobial activity have the ability to inhibit or destroy the microbes that are in contact or within a certain distance []. Commonly, antimicrobial compounds and solutions are used to disinfect surfaces, equipment and devices from pathogens, whilst antibiotics are used to treat infections. In healthcare settings, the decontamination process is particularly important as it can help to lower infection rates.