Hybrid molecularly imprinted membranes for targeted tocopherol: Uses of cross-linked copolymer particles prepared by surfactant-free dispersion technique

Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years 2004-2011

Herein, we present a survey of the literature covering the development of molecular imprinting science and technology over the years 2004-2011. In total, 3779 references to the original papers, reviews, edited volumes and monographs from this period are included, along with recently identified uncited materials from prior to 2004, which were omitted in the first instalment of this series covering the years 1930-2003. In the presentation of the assembled references, a section presenting reviews and monographs covering the area is followed by sections describing fundamental aspects of molecular imprinting including the development of novel polymer formats. Thereafter, literature describing efforts to apply these polymeric materials to a range of application areas is presented. Current trends and areas of rapid development are discussed.

Bio-mimetic sensors based on molecularly imprinted membranes

An important challenge for scientific research is the production of artificial systems able to mimic the recognition mechanisms occurring at the molecular level in living systems. A valid contribution in this direction resulted from the development of molecular imprinting. By means of this technology, selective molecular recognition sites are introduced in a polymer, thus conferring it bio-mimetic properties. The potential applications of these systems include affinity separations, medical diagnostics, drug delivery, catalysis, etc. Recently, bio-sensing systems using molecularly imprinted membranes, a special form of imprinted polymers, have received the attention of scientists in various fields. In these systems imprinted membranes are used as bio-mimetic recognition elements which are integrated with a transducer component. The direct and rapid determination of an interaction between the recognition element and the target analyte (template) was an encouraging factor for the development of such systems as alternatives to traditional bio-assay methods. Due to their high stability, sensitivity and specificity, bio-mimetic sensors-based membranes are used for environmental, food, and clinical uses. This review deals with the development of molecularly imprinted polymers and their different preparation methods. Referring to the last decades, the application of these membranes as bio-mimetic sensor devices will be also reported.

Preparation and characterization of molecularly imprinted poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) microspheres for sustained release of gatifloxacin

Molecularly imprinted poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) microspheres (PHEMA MIPMs) were prepared via precipitation polymerization in this article, using gatifloxacin (GFLX), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as template molecule, functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively. The effects of reaction medium, initial total monomers, cross-linker and molecular imprinting on the polymerization were investigated systematically. The interaction between GFLX and HEMA in pre-solution was studied by UV-Visible spectrophotometer, both size and morphology of products were characterized by a scanning electron microscope. When the total initial monomer concentration was 1 vol%, EGDMA content was 70 mol%, a group of uniform PHEMA MIPMs were prepared at different GFLX/MAA molar ratios, with diameter range from 2.06 ± 0.07 to 2.82 ± 0.20 μm. The results of drug loading and in vitro release experiments demonstrated that PHEMA MIPMs could achieve a higher GFLX loading content and a more acceptable sustained release than non-imprinted ones.

Selective determination of melamine in aqueous medium by molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction

A molecularly imprinted polymer able to recognize melamine in partially aqueous medium was synthesized using methacrylic acid as functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linking agent. The bound specificity and selectivity of the obtained material were verified by performing binding experiments with melamine and its structural analogue, 2,4,6-trimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine, respectively, using different aqueous binding media. Finally, the ability of MIP to selectively extract melamine from two real samples, a food supplement and a freeze-dried meat sample, was demonstrated.