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

Yin, Nai-Hao and Griffiths, Frances and Mann, Claire and Dawes, Helen and van Arkel, Richard and Bukhari, Marwan and Kerns, Jemma (2025) Raman spectroscopy identified fingernail compositional differences between sexes and age-related changes but not handedness or fingers in a healthy cohort. PLoS ONE, 20 (8): e0329092. ISSN 1932-6203

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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.