diff --git a/chem_spectra/controller/spectra_layout_api.py b/chem_spectra/controller/spectra_layout_api.py
index 75c9f64e..a2c28984 100644
--- a/chem_spectra/controller/spectra_layout_api.py
+++ b/chem_spectra/controller/spectra_layout_api.py
@@ -11,10 +11,12 @@ def load_data_types():
         with open(data_type_json_path, 'r') as mapping_file:
             return json.load(mapping_file)
     except FileNotFoundError:
-        return {"datatypes": {}}
+        with open(data_type_json_path, 'w') as new_mapping_file:
+            initial_data = {"datatypes": {}}
+            json.dump(initial_data, new_mapping_file, indent=4)
+            return initial_data
 
 @spectra_layout_api.route('/spectra_layouts', methods=['GET'])
 def get_spectra_layouts():
     existing_data_types = load_data_types()
-    spectra_layouts = list(set(existing_data_types["datatypes"].values()))
-    return jsonify(spectra_layouts), 200
\ No newline at end of file
+    return jsonify(existing_data_types["datatypes"]), 200
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/chem_spectra/controller/spectra_type_api.py b/chem_spectra/controller/spectra_type_api.py
index 93c8449c..0d4aec0f 100644
--- a/chem_spectra/controller/spectra_type_api.py
+++ b/chem_spectra/controller/spectra_type_api.py
@@ -32,4 +32,15 @@ def create_or_update_data_type():
     
     save_data_types(existing_data_types)
     
-    return jsonify({"message": "Data type created/updated successfully"}), 200
\ No newline at end of file
+    return jsonify({"message": "Data type created/updated successfully"}), 200
+
+@spectra_type_api.route('/data_type/<data_type>', methods=['DELETE'])
+def delete_data_type(data_type):
+    existing_data_types = load_data_types()
+    
+    if data_type in existing_data_types["datatypes"]:
+        del existing_data_types["datatypes"][data_type]
+        save_data_types(existing_data_types)
+        return jsonify({"message": f"Data type '{data_type}' deleted successfully"}), 200
+    else:
+        return jsonify({"message": f"Data type '{data_type}' not found"}), 404
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/controller/test_spectra_layout_api.py b/tests/controller/test_spectra_layout_api.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e68f4e7c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/controller/test_spectra_layout_api.py
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+import os
+import json
+
+def test_get_spectra_layouts_with_data(client):
+    data_type_json_path = './tests/fixtures/test_data_types.json'
+    response = client.get('/spectra_layouts')
+    response_data = response.json()
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    assert response_data == {
+        "NMRSPECTRUM": "NMR",
+        "INFRARED SPECTRUM": "INFRARED"
+        }
+
+def test_get_spectra_layouts_without_data(client):
+    data_type_json_path = './tests/fixtures/result/spectralayout_test_data.json'
+
+    response = client.get('/spectra_layouts')
+    response_data = response.json()
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    assert response_data == {}
+
+    if os.path.exists(data_type_json_path):
+        os.remove(data_type_json_path)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/controller/test_spectra_type_api.py b/tests/controller/test_spectra_type_api.py
index 1f4a3c31..3780a7c0 100644
--- a/tests/controller/test_spectra_type_api.py
+++ b/tests/controller/test_spectra_type_api.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import os
 import json
 
-test_json = './tests/fixtures/test_data_types.json'
+data_type_json_path = './tests/fixtures/test_data_types.json'
 
 def test_create_or_update_data_type(client):
     new_data_type = {
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ def test_create_or_update_data_type(client):
         }
     }
     
-    response = client.post('/spectra_type_api/data_type', json=new_data_type)
+    response = client.post('/data_type', json=new_data_type)
     assert response.status_code == 200
     
     response_data = response.json()
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def test_create_or_update_data_type_unchanged(client):
         }
     }
 
-    response = client.post('/spectra_type_api/data_type', json=new_data_type)
+    response = client.post('/data_type', json=new_data_type)
     assert response.status_code == 400
 
     response_data = response.json()
@@ -34,8 +34,7 @@ def test_create_or_update_data_type_unchanged(client):
     assert response_data["message"] == "Data type 'INFRARED SPECTRUM' already exists"
 
 def test_create_or_update_data_type_file_not_found(client):
-    original_test_json = test_json
-    test_json = './tests/fixtures/non_existent_test_data.json'
+    data_type_json_path = './tests/fixtures/result/spectratype_test_data.json'
 
     new_data_type = {
         "new_data_type": {
@@ -43,10 +42,26 @@ def test_create_or_update_data_type_file_not_found(client):
         }
     }
 
-    response = client.post('/spectra_type_api/data_type', json=new_data_type)
+    response = client.post('/data_type', json=new_data_type)
     assert response.status_code == 200
     response_data = response.json()
     assert len(response_data.get("datatypes")) == 1
     assert response_data["datatypes"].get("RAMAN SPECTRUM") == "RAMAN"
 
-    test_json = original_test_json
+    if os.path.exists(data_type_json_path):
+        os.remove(data_type_json_path)
+
+def test_delete_data_type(client):
+    # create a new data type
+    new_data_type = {
+        "new_data_type": {
+            "FLUORESCENCE": "FLUORESCENCE SPECTRUM"
+        }
+    }
+    response = client.post('/data_type', json=new_data_type)
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+
+    # delete the new data type
+    response = client.delete('/data_type/FLUORESCENCE')
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+