A model study by using polymeric molecular imprinting nanomaterials for removal of penicillin G

Poly (hydroxyethylmethacrylate-co-methacryloyl glutamic acid) nanocarrier system for controlled release of levothyroxine

The deterioration in the structure of thyroid hormones causes many thyroid-related disorders, which leads to a negative effect on the quality of life, as well as the change in metabolic rate. For the treatment of thyroid disorders, daily use of levothyroxine-based medication is essential. In the study, it is aimed to develop a polymeric nanocarrier that can provide controlled drug release of levothyroxine. In this respect, the p(HEMA-MAGA) nanopolymer was synthesized and then characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Zeta size analysis. The specific surface area of the nanopolymer was calculated as 587.68 m2/g. The pH, temperature, concentration, and time parameters were determined for levothyroxine binding to p(HEMA-MAGA) and optimum binding was determined as pH 7.4, 25 °C, 25 µg/mL concentration, and 30 min adsorption time. As a result of the release performed at pH 7.4, a release profile was observed which increased for the first 3 days and continued for 14 days. According to the results of MTT cell viability analysis, it was determined that the p(HEMA-MAGA) nanopolymeric carrier system had no cytotoxic effect. This developed polymer-based nanocarrier system is suitable for long-term and controlled release of levothyroxine. This is a unique and novel study in terms of developing poly hydroxyethylmethacrylate-co-methacryloyl glutamic acid-based polymeric nanoparticles for levothyroxine release.

Selective Extraction and Quantification of Hemoglobin Based on a Novel Molecularly Imprinted Nanopolymeric Structure of Poly(acrylamide-vinyl imidazole)

Imbalances in hemoglobin (Hb) levels can lead to conditions such as anemia or polycythemia, emphasizing the importance of precise Hb extraction from blood. To address this, a novel synthetic imprinted polymer was meticulously developed for capturing and separating Hb. Poly(acrylamide-vinylimidazole) nanopolymer (poly(AAm-VIM)) was synthesized using acrylamide and vinyl imidazole as functional monomers through surfactant-free emulsion polymerization. Characterization using FTIR, particle size, zeta potential, and SEM ensured the polymer's structure. The Hb-imprinted nanopolymer (Hb-poly(AAm-VIM)) demonstrated notable specificity, with a calculated Hb-specific adsorption value (Qmax) of 3.7377 mg/g in a medium containing 2.5 mg/mL Hb. The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) exhibited approximately 5 times higher Hb adsorption than the nonimprinted polymer (NIP). Under the same conditions, the imprinted nanopolymer displayed 2.39 and 2.17 times greater selectivity for Hb over competing proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (Lys), respectively. Also, SDS-PAGE analysis results confirmed the purification of Hb by the molecularly imprinted nanopolymer. These results underscore the heightened specificity and efficacy of the molecularly imprinted nanopolymer in selectively targeting Hb atoms among other proteins. Incorporating such polymers is justified by their notable affinity, cost-effectiveness, and facile production. This research contributes valuable insights into optimizing synthetic imprinted polymers for efficient Hb extraction, with potential in medical diagnostics and treatment applications.

Metal-Chelated Polymeric Nanomaterials for the Removal of Penicillin G Contamination

We developed selective and relatively low-cost metal-chelated nanoparticle systems for the removal of the penicillin G (Pen G) antibiotic, presented for the first time in the literature. In the nanosystem, poly(glycidyl methacrylate) nanoparticles were synthesized by a surfactant-free emulsion polymerization method and covalently bound with a tridentate-chelating ligand, iminodiacetic acid, based on the immobilized metal chelate affinity technique. It was modified with Cu²⁺, a chelating metal, to make Pen G specific. Metal-chelated nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, zeta dimensional analysis, and scanning electron microscopy technology. Optimization studies of the Pen G removal were conducted. As a result of this study, Pen G removal with the p(GMA)-IDA-Cu²⁺ nanoparticle reached its maximum adsorption capacity of 633.92 mg/g in the short time of 15 min. The Pen G adsorption of p(GMA)-IDA-Cu²⁺ was three times more than that of the p(GMA) nanoparticles and two times more than that of the ampicillin adsorption. In addition, there was no significant decrease in the adsorption capacity of Pen G resulting from the repeated adsorption-desorption process of metal-chelated nanoparticles over five cycles. The metal-chelated nanoparticle had an 84.5% ability to regain its ability to regenerate the product with its regeneration capability, making the widespread use of the system very convenient in terms of reducing cost, an important factor in removal processes.

Computational Investigation of the Monomer Ratio and Solvent Environment for the Complex Formed between Sulfamethoxazole and Functional Monomer Methacrylic Acid

In this study, the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) that will be formed by the sulfamethoxazole (SMX) molecule and methacrylic acid (MAA) molecule were examined theoretically. The most stable interaction region between the two molecules was determined in solvent environments (ethanol, acetonitrile, and dimethylsulfoxide), and monomer ratios (SMX/MAA; 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3) were examined to form the most stable geometry. The number and length of the hydrogen bonds formed between the template molecule and the functional monomer and the interaction between the atoms were determined. Geometry optimizations of the molecules were calculated by the DFT method at the M06-2X/ccpVTZ level, and single-point energy calculations were carried out at the B2PLYP-D3/ccpVDZ level. In addition to the theoretical studies, the experimental Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum of the complex formed between SMX and MAA was compared with the theoretical FTIR spectrum. As a result of the studies, the monomer ratio and solvent environment in which the stable complex was formed were determined in the MIP studies carried out with the SMX template molecule and MAA monomer. The most stable template molecule-monomer ratio of the complex between SMX and MAA was determined to be 1:3, and the solvent medium in which the most stable geometry was formed was acetonitrile.

Selective and fast removal and determination of β-lactam antibiotics in aqueous solution using multiple templates imprinted polymers based on magnetic hybrid carbon material

Selective and fast adsorption of five broad-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics included amoxicillin, cephalexin, cefazolin, penicillin G and oxacillin was achieved by novel surface molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) with magnetic hybrid carbon material as the substrate. The characteristics of MIPs were studied by scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, thermogravimetric analysis, etc. And through a series of adsorption experiments to examine the kinetics, isotherms, thermodynamics, selectivity and reusability for sorption of β-lactam antibiotics onto the MIPs. The adsorption equilibriums were accomplished in about 60 min with adsorption capacities of 4.57-24.55 mg g^-1, while the adsorption process was preferably fitted with pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich model. The imprinting factors ranged from 1.88 to 9.94 indicated the MIPs possessed excellent recognition ability, and its good reusability was demonstrated after five times adsorption-desorption cycles without a large drop in adsorption capacity. Furthermore, a new detection method was developed by combining of MIPs with solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography (MIPs-SPE-HPLC). Under the optimal SPE conditions, the limits of detection (LODs) for the five BLAs were 0.24-0.56 µg L^-1, with RSDs of 0.76-5.39%. The synthesized MIPs and the proposed MIPs-SPE-HPLC method can be applied for the efficient, simultaneous separation and detection of BLAs.