Recent molecularly imprinted polymers applications in bioanalysis

Molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) as extraordinary compounds with unique features have presented a wide range of applications and benefits to researchers. In particular when used as a sorbent in sample preparation methods for the analysis of biological samples and complex matrices. Its application in the extraction of medicinal species has attracted much attention and a growing interest. This review focus on articles and research that deals with the application of MIPs in the analysis of components such as biomarkers, drugs, hormones, blockers and inhibitors, especially in biological matrices. The studies based on MIP applications in bioanalysis and the deployment of MIPs in high-throughput settings and optimization of extraction methods are presented. A review of more than 200 articles and research works clearly shows that the superiority of MIP techniques lies in high accuracy, reproducibility, sensitivity, speed and cost effectiveness which make them suitable for clinical usage. Furthermore, this review present MIP-based extraction techniques and MIP-biosensors which are categorized on their classes based on common properties of target components. Extraction methods, studied sample matrices, target analytes, analytical techniques and their results for each study are described. Investigations indicate satisfactory results using MIP-based bioanalysis. According to the increasing number of studies on method development over the last decade, the use of MIPs in bioanalysis is growing and will further expand the scope of MIP applications for less studied samples and analytes.

Synthesis of Atenolol-Imprinted Polymers with Methyl Methacrylate as Functional Monomer in Propanol Using Bulk and Precipitation Polymerization Method

Atenolol is one of the beta-1 blocker drugs that is misused by athletes to increase their performance during competition. Therefore, it is important to analyze atenolol levels in blood selectively. The preparation method that can be used in separating atenolol in sample is molecular imprinting solid-phase extraction (MI-SPE) because it has good selectivity and sensitivity. This study aims to examine the characteristics and analytical performance of imprinted polymers synthesized from functional monomer methyl methacrylate. The stages of this study include the determination of association constants, synthesis of sorbent MI-SPE atenolol using the bulk polymerization method, and precipitation with atenolol as the template, methyl methacrylate as the functional monomer, and propanol as the porogen. The template was extracted from a polymer, and then, the adsorption ability, capacity, and selectivity of MI-SPE and finally the application of the best MI-SPE to spiked serum samples were determined. MI-SPE was also characterized by using Fourier-transform instrument infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The result of characterization with FTIR and SEM showed that MIP made by the precipitation polymerization method was completely polymerized, more porous, and produced smaller particle size with an average value of 0.274 μm. It had better analytic performances than MIP made by bulk polymerization, with affinity value 0.3607 mg/g and homogeneity value 1.3246, and good selectivity toward atenolol with imprinting factor value 22.519. Application of MI-SPE to spiked serum samples has an excellent recovery percentage of 95.46% over 0% for the nonimprinting one. Based on the result of study, MIP made by precipitation polymerization could be used to extract atenolol on serum samples toward drug analysis.

Extraction of atenolol from spiked blood serum using a molecularly imprinted polymer sorbent obtained by precipitation polymerization

Atenolol (ATE) is a cardio-selective β-blocker that is used in the treatment of hypertension over extended periods. However, ATE, like propranolol, has major potential for misuse as a performance-enhancing drug in several sports. Therefore, an efficient and selective separation method is required to detect and monitor the level of ATE in the body. This paper presents a molecularly imprinted polymer with specific and selective binding to ATE using precipitation polymerization. We show that when employed in an optimized molecular imprinted solid phase extraction (MI-SPE) protocol, recoveries of 93.65 ± 1.29% from spiked blood serum with excellent discrimination from other β-blocker drugs is possible. The methodology used in this study includes molecular modeling interaction between ATE and itaconic acid (ITA) as functional monomer, followed by determination of binding constants with spectrophotometry, synthesis of the polymer using precipitation polymerization and ending with characterization and application of polymers to extract ATE in serum. Docking analysis revealed a binding affinity between ATE and ITA of −2.0 kcal/mol with the formation of hydrogen bonding. The association constant between ATE and ITA was studied by UV titration in two different solvents, with evidence of an association constant 6.277 × 10² M⁻¹ measured in acetonitrile: methanol (1:1). An optimized MI-SPE protocol was developed for the extraction of ATE from spiked blood serum, obtaining recoveries of 93.65% with excellent selectivity toward other β-blocker drugs.