Figure top panel shows the Raman spectrum of the γ-cyclodextrin functionalized substrate incubated in a 1 mM solution of MCPA. Some features like the peaks at 487/498, 932 and 1026 cm -1 seen in DI water only are still present. However, new peaks emerge at 357, 804, 881, 1081/1095 and 1237 cm -1 and are attributed to the MCPA/ γ -CD complex. Also, some peaks present in the original sample are shifted or split (640/657 or 743 cm -1 ). The change observed in the Raman spectrum suggest that the MCPA molecule interacts strongly with γcyclodextrin core. The strong coupling leads to a restriction of the number of vibrations from both the host and the guest and results in new vibrations for the host/guest system. Similar observations have been reported for FTIR analysis . These results confirm the DFT simulations, and that modification of the surface with γ -CD is sufficient to capture MCPA allowing subsequent SERS detection. This approach may be extended to other molecules where SERS detection is difficult.