Raman spectroscopy applied to the study of human red blood cells

Raman spectroscopy is an analytical technique capable of providing detailed information about the molecular structure of biological tissues and fluids. Therefore, this article presents a review of Raman spectroscopy applied in studies with human red blood cells in order to synthesize information about the technological aspects and the Raman spectral characteristics identified by different studies. To this end, a search for articles was carried out in the PubMed, LILACS, SciELO and Cochrane databases, using pre-established descriptors, in the search for articles in Portuguese and English, published in the last ten years and available in full. Literature review articles, studies with whole blood, studies with animal red blood cells, and all those that deviate from the scope of the study are excluded. The results demonstrate that different technologies coupled to the Raman system and different technical ranges are used in the analysis of red blood cells. The discussion presents general aspects of the technique and the Raman spectral characteristics of healthy red blood cells and those altered as a result of diseases and other causes. Raman spectroscopy is versatile and widely used in investigations that require evidence at the molecular level of red blood cells.