Raman spectroscopy identified fingernail compositional differences between sexes and age-related changes but not handedness or fingers in a healthy cohort

Nai-Hao Yin, Frances Griffiths, Claire Mann, Helen Dawes, Richard van Arkel, Marwan Bukhari and Jemma G Kerns

PLOS ONE, 2025, vol. 20, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: Background: Nail properties and appearances can indicate a person’s underlying systemic diseases. Raman spectroscopy is an established laboratory technique and has been applied to nails, identifying spectral differences between healthy individuals and patient populations. Objective: We aim to explore the importance of potential spectral or chemical variations in nails between sexes, age groups, hands, and fingers. Methods: Twenty male and twenty female participants without known musculoskeletal or dermatological diseases donated nail clippings from each finger. The clippings were cleaned, and Raman spectra collected and analysed using a standardised protocol. Results: In total 2000 spectra were collected. Females have higher intensities of disulphide, protein, and lipid bands, particularly in their 40s, than males. Age-related changes were prominent in female nails, especially in sulphur-related bands. No significant differences were observed between nails from the left and right hands or among different fingers. Limitations: We did not control other factors such as diet, medication, or different occupation or sports participation. Conclusion: This is the first study to use Raman spectroscopy to compare nail composition across different ages and sexes in healthy adults. The findings provide a strong basis for further studies on nails at the population level for screening or monitoring diseases.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0329092

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0329092

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