Surface-enhanced Raman scattering studies on bombesin, its selected fragments and related peptides adsorbed at the silver colloidal surface

► We show that investigated molecules bind to a colloidal silver surface mainly through Trp8 and Met14. ► Trp8 adsorbs at the surface almost perpendicularly. ► Met14 appears on the surface mainly as a PC-G conformer. ► His12 practically does not take part in the adsorption process. ► Substitution of Leu13 by Phe does not change substantially the pattern of the adsorption mechanism. ► Modification such Phe12 and Tyr6 cause changes in the SERS spectra.