Review on molecular imprinting technology and its application in pre-treatment and detection of marine organic pollutants

Recognition and detection of histamine in foods using aptamer modified fluorescence polymer dots sensors

Histamine has been known as a momentous cause of biogenic amine poisoning. Therefore, the content of histamine in foods is strictly required to be controlled within a certain range. Here, an aptamer fluorescent sensor was developed for detection of histamine. Poly [(9, 9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2, 7-diyl)-alt-(benzo [2,1,3] thiadia-zol-4, 8-diyl)] (PF8BT) and the styrene maleic anhydride copolymer (PSMA) were used for the preparation of PF8BT-Polymer dots (PF8BT-Pdots). PF8BT-Pdots and the cyanine3-phosphoramidite (Cy3) were linked through aptamer to achieve the ratiometric detection for histamine. PF8BT-Pdots were partly quenched by Cy3 due to the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), when the histamine molecule was recognized by aptamer on the surface of PF8BT-Pdots. A linear range (3-21 μmol/L) was obtained for histamine detection with a low limit of detection (LOD = 0.38 μmol/L). PF8BT aptamer Pdots (PF8BT-A) were used to detect histamine in simply treated aquaculture water and tuna. The cell imaging of HeLa cells presented a good biosecurity and outstanding fluorescent imaging capability of PF8BT-A. The aptamer fluorescent sensors provided a new platform for rapid and accurate detection of histamine in aquatic products and had great potential for the application in food safety and quality control.

Imprinted membrane-covalent organic framework platform for efficient label-free visual detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium in food samples

BACKGROUND

Rapid and sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens in food plays a crucial role in controlling outbreaks of foodborne diseases, of which Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium are representative and notable pathogens. Thus, it's of great importance to achieve the effective detection of these pathogens. However, the most common detection methods (culture-based technique, Polymerase Chain Reaction and immunological methods) have disadvantages that cannot be ignored, such as time-consuming, laborious, complex sample preparation process, and the possibility of cross-reaction. Hence, it is essential to develop a facile detection method for the pathogens with high sensitivity and specificity to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages.

RESULTS

We report a label-free visual platform for the simultaneous capture and detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium. For the first time, we have prepared polydimethylsiloxane-Chromotrope 2R membrane which serves as the substrate for bacterial capture and enrichment through the formation of specific recognition sites. The positively charged Pt-covalent organic framework combines with the pathogens through surface charge interaction, thereby the label-free sandwich platform is formed. Remarkable peroxidase activity of Pt-covalent organic framework converts the conversion of bacterial quantity into amplified color signal by catalyzing 3,3',5,5'-Tetramethylbenzidine to oxidized 3,3',5,5'-Tetramethylbenzidine. The platform demonstrates the capability to identify two representative food-borne pathogens within a time frame of 100 min, exhibiting high sensitivity and excellent specificity without the interference from non-target bacteria. The limit of detection of the visual platform toward Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium was 1.61 CFU mL-1 and 1.31 CFU mL-1, respectively. And the limit of quantification toward Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium was 4.94 CFU mL-1 and 2.47 CFU mL-1, respectively. The relative standard derivations of the visual platform for both bacteria were lower than 4.9 %. Furthermore, our proposed platform has obtained reliable and satisfactory results on analyzing diverse food samples.

SIGNIFICANCE

This research expands the application of a label-free platform combined with unlabeled nanocomponents in the rapid isolation and detection of diverse of food-borne pathogens. The platform possesses the advantages of simple operation and real-time monitoring, without complicated sample pretreatment process. The whole detection process can realize the simultaneous monitoring of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium within 100 min. Furthermore, it is also of reference significance for the detection of other common pathogens.

A double-emission molecularly imprinted ratiometric fluorescent sensor based on carbon quantum dots and fluorescein isothiocyanate for visual detection of p-nitroaniline

A novel molecularly imprinted ratiometric fluorescent sensor CQDs@MIP/FITC@SiO2 for the detection of p-nitroaniline (p-NA) was constructed through the mixture of CQDs@MIP and FITC@SiO2 in the ratio of 1:1 (VCQDs@MIP:VFITC@SiO₂). The polymers of CQDs@MIP and FITC@SiO2 were prepared by sol-gel method and reversed-phase microemulsion method, respectively. CQDs@MIP was used as the auxiliary response signal and FITC@SiO2 was used as the reference enhancement signal. The signal was measured at excitation/emission wavelengths of 365/438, 512 nm. The sensor showed good linearity in the concentration range 0.14-40.00 µM (R2 = 0.998) with a detection limit of 0.042 µM for p-NA. The color change of "blue-cyan-green" could be observed by the naked eye under 365 nm UV light, thus realizing the visual detection of p-NA. The sensor presented comparable results compared with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the detection of p-NA in hair dye paste and aqueous samples with recoveries of 96.8-103.7% and 95.8-104.4%, respectively. It was demonstrated that the constructed sensor possesses the advantages of simplicity, excellent selectivity, superior sensitivity, and outstanding stability.

Preparation of surface molecularly imprinted polymers with Fe3O4/ZIF-8 as carrier for detection of Dimethoate in cabbage

In this study, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared for the specific recognition of organophosphorus pesticides and a rapid, efficient and simple method was established for the detection of dimethoate (DIT) in food samples. Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation, and Fe3O4/ZIF-8 complexes were prepared by a modified in-situ polymerization method, and then magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) were prepared and synthetic route was optimized by applying density functional theory (DFT). The morphological characterization showed that the MMIPs were coarse porous spheres with an average particle size of 50 nm. The synthesized materials are highly selective for the organophosphorus pesticide dimethoate with an adsorption capacity of 461.50 mg·g-1 and are effective resistance to matrix effects. A novel method for the determination of DIT in cabbage was developed using the prepared MMIPs in combination with HPLC. The practical results showed that the method can meet the requirements for the determination of DIT in cabbage with recoveries of 85.6-121.1 % and detection limits of 0.033 μg·kg-1.

Three-Dimensional Printing of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers by Digital Light Processing for Copper Ion Sequestration

Highly structured, molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) networks for copper(II) ion sequestration have been realized using the additive manufacturing technology. Photopolymerizable formulations with acrylic functional monomers and two different porogens (water and methanol) in different ratios were studied to produce emulsions with 50 vol% of the internal phase. The results of morphological characterization indicate that all MIPs have cauliflower-like multiscale structures that change as a function of the solvent combination and fabrication process. X-ray fluorescence microscopy maps presented a layered structure and homogeneous distribution of copper in the printed MIP. Copper(II) ion adsorption-desorption tests were performed on MIPs prepared using a three-dimensional (3D) printing approach and MIPs prepared by bulk polymerization. Results indicate that the 3D printed MIP is able to absorb copper up to ten times more efficiently than the nonprinted one and the printed MIP with 100% water content has the highest imprint recognition.

Ultrasensitive, Label-Free Voltammetric Detection of Dibutyl Phthalate Based on Poly-l-lysine/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-porous Graphene Nanocomposite and Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Development of an efficient technique for accurate and sensitive dibutyl phthalate (DBP) determination is crucial for food safety and environment protection. An ultrasensitive molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) voltammetric sensor was herein engineered for the specific determination of DBP using poly-l-lysine/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/porous graphene nanocomposite (PLL/PEDOT-PG) and poly(o-phenylenediamine)-imprinted film as a label-free and sensing platform. Fabrication of PEDOT-PG nanocomposites was achieved through a simple liquid-liquid interfacial polymerization. Subsequently, poly-l-lysine (PLL) functionalization was employed to enhance the dispersibility and stability of the prepared PEDOT-PG, as well as promote its adhesion on the sensor surface. In the presence of DBP, the imprinted poly(o-phenylenediamine) film was formed on the surface of PLL/PEDOT-PG. Investigation of the physical properties and electrochemical behavior of the MIP/PLL/PEDOT-PG indicates that the incorporation of PG into PEDOT, with PLL uniformly wrapping its surface, significantly enhanced conductivity, carrier mobility, stability, and provided a larger surface area for specific recognition sites. Under optimal experimental conditions, the electrochemical response exhibited a linear relationship with a logarithm of DBP concentration within the range of 1 fM to 5 µM, with the detection limit as low as 0.88 fM. The method demonstrated exceptional stability and repeatability and has been successfully applied to quantify DBP in plastic packaging materials.

Novel molecularly imprinted aerogels: Preparation, characterization, and application in selective separation for oleanolic acid in lingonberry

An oleanolic acid (OA) surface molecularly imprinted polymer silylated porous composite aerogels (OA-MIP@Si-PC-aerogels) adsorbent material was successfully prepared and characterized. The material not only has a great selectivity for the target molecule OA but also has other noteworthy qualities including high stability, excellent repeatability, and a sizable adsorption capacity. via cellulose and sodium alginate as the main materials, the carrier Si-PC-aerogels were made through ionic cross-linking, chemical cross-linking, and silylation procedures. By adopting a surface molecular imprinting approach on Si-PC-aerogels, OA-MIP@Si-PC-aerogels were effectively created utilizing OA as the template molecule and MAA as the functional monomer. Due to the presence of a specific imprinted layer on the aerogel surface, the adsorption capacity of OA-MIP@Si-PC-aerogels for OA could reach 66.20 mg g-1. OA-MIP@Si-PC-aerogels could achieve a 68.86% yield of OA from the extracts of lingonberry (Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea L.). The adsorption capacity remained at 90% after five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles. HepG2 cells were exposed to OA that was effectively enriched with OA-MIP@Si-PC-aerogels in lingonberry (Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea L.) fruit homogenates. This OA significantly inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells in vitro. It further demonstrated that OA-MIP@Si-PC-aerogels could efficiently target OA enrichment and separation with good recovery.

Targeted degradation of naphthalene by peroxymonosulfate activation using molecularly imprinted biochar

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aquatic environments are threatening ecosystems and human health. In this work, an effective and environmentally friendly catalyst based on biochar and molecular imprinting technology (MIT) was developed for the targeted degradation of PAHs by activating peroxymonosulfate. The results show that the adsorption amount of naphthalene (NAP) by molecularly imprinted biochar (MIP@BC) can reach 82% of the equilibrium adsorption capacity within 5 min, and it had well targeted adsorption for NAP in the solution mixture of NAP, QL and SMX. According to the comparison between the removal rates of NAP and QL by MIP@BC/PMS or BC/PMS system in respective pure solutions or mixed solutions, the MIP@BC/PMS system can better resist the interference of competing pollutants (i.e., QL) compared to the BC/PMS system; that is, MIP@BC had a good ability to selectively degrade NAP. Besides, the removal rate of NAP by MIP@BC/PMS gradually decreased as pH increased. The addition of Cl- greatly promoted the targeted removal of NAP in the MIP@BC/PMS system, while HCO3- and CO32- both had an inhibitory effect. Furthermore, SO4•-, O2•- and 1O2 produced by BC activating PMS dominated the NAP degradation, and it was inferred that the vacated imprinted cavities after NAP degradation can continue to selectively adsorb NAP and this could facilitate the reusability of the material. This study can promote the research on the targeted degradation of PAHs through the synergism of biochar/PMS advanced oxidation processes and MIT.

Recent advances in the removal of emerging contaminants from water by novel molecularly imprinted materials in advanced oxidation processes-A review

Recently, there has been a global focus on effectively treating emerging contaminants (ECs) in water bodies. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are the primary technology used for ECs removal. However, the low concentrations of ECs make it difficult to overcome the interference of background substances in complex water quality, which limits the practical application of AOPs. To address this limitation, many researchers are developing new catalysts with preferential adsorption. Molecular imprinting technology (MIT) combined with conventional catalysts has been found to effectively enhance the selectivity of catalysts for the targeted catalytic degradation of pollutants. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the progress made in research on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) in the selective oxidation of ECs in water. The preparation methods, principles, and control points of novel MIP catalysts are discussed. Furthermore, the performance and mechanism of the catalysts in photocatalytic oxidation, electrocatalytic oxidation, and persulfate activation are analyzed with examples. The possible ecotoxicological risks of MIP catalysts are also discussed. Finally, the challenges and prospects of applying MIP catalysts in AOP are presented along with proposed solutions. This review provides a better understanding of using MIP catalysts in AOPs to target the degradation of ECs.

Molecular imprinting-based sensors: Lab-on-chip integration and biomedical applications

The innovative technology of a marketable lab-on-a-chip platform for point-of-care (POC) in vitro detection has recently attracted remarkable attention. The POC tests can significantly enhance the high standard of medicinal care. In the last decade, clinical diagnostic technology has been broadly advanced and successfully performed in several areas. It seems that lab-on-a-chip approaches play a significant role in these technologies. However, high-cost and time-consuming methods are increasing the challenge and the development of a cost-effective, rapid and efficient method for the detection of biomolecules is urgently needed. Recently, polymer-coated sensing platforms have been a promising area that can be employed in medical diagnosis, pharmaceutical bioassays, and environmental monitoring. The designed on-chip sensors are based on molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) that use label-free detection technology. Molecular imprinting shines out as a potentially promising technique for creating artificial recognition material with molecular recognition sites. MIPs provide unique advantages such as excellent recognition specificity, high selectivity, and good reusability. This review article aims to define several methods using molecular imprinting for biomolecules and their incorporation with several lab-on-chip technologies to describe the most promising methods for the development of sensing systems based on molecularly imprinted polymers. The higher selectivity, more user-friendly operation is believed to provide MIP-based lab-on-a-chip devices with great potential academic and commercial value in on-site clinical diagnostics and other point-of-care assays.

Molecularly Imprinted Magnetic Nanocomposite Based on Carboxymethyl Dextrin for Removal of Ciprofloxacin Antibiotic from Contaminated Water

Broad-spectrum antibiotics from the fluoroquinolone family have emerged as prominent water contaminants, among other pharmaceutical pollutants. In the present study, an antibacterial magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) composite was successfully fabricated using carboxy methyl dextrin grafted to poly(aniline-co-meta-phenylenediamine) in the presence of Fe₃O₄/CuO nanoparticles and ciprofloxacin antibiotic. The characteristics of obtained materials were investigated using FTIR, XRD, VSM, TGA, EDX, FE-SEM, zeta potential, and BETanalyses. Afterward, the MMIP's antibacterial activity and adsorption effectiveness for removing ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions were explored. The results of the antibacterial tests showed that MMIP had an antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative pathogen (16 mm), and Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive pathogen (22 mm). Adsorption efficacy was evaluated under a variety of experimental conditions, including solution pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and initial concentration. The maximum adsorption capacity (Q_max) of the MMIP for ciprofloxacin was determined to be 1111.1 mg/g using 3 mg of MMIP, with an initial concentration of 400 mg/L of ciprofloxacin at pH 7, within 15 min, and agitated at 25 °C, and the experimental adsorption results were well-described by the Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption kinetic data were well represented by the pseudo-second-order model. Electrostatic interaction, cation exchange, π-π interactions, and hydrogen bonding were mostly able to adsorb the majority of the ciprofloxacin onto the MMIP. Adsorption-desorption experiments revealed that the MMIP could be retrieved and reused with no noticeable reduction in adsorption efficacy after three consecutive cycles.

Molecularly imprinted probe based on CdTe QDs and magnetic nanoparticles for selective recognition of malachite green in seawater and its sensing mechanisms

A magnetic molecularly imprinted probe (MMIP@QD) was synthesized by reverse microemulsion method using CdTe QDs, Fe₃O₄, and molecularly imprinted polymer as the fluorophore, magnetic carrier, and recognition sites, respectively. The nanoparticle was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). In the optimal experimental condition, fluorescent emission intensity (measured at excitation wavelengths of 350 nm) was quenched linearly with increasing malachite green (MG) concentration from 0.8 to 28.0 μM with LOD of 0.67 μM. Simultaneously, it was observed that the maximum absorption wavelength was blue shifted gradually with the increase of MG concentration. The inner filter effect, static quenching, and band gap transition were interpreted as the mechanisms of fluorescence quenching and wavelength shift. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the quenching reaction proceeded spontaneously. The developed sensor was applied to detect MG in seawater samples. Satisfactory recoveries of MG in spiked seawater ranged from 83.6 to 122.1% with RSD < 1.8%.

Determination of organophosphorus in dairy products by graphitic carbon nitride combined molecularly imprinted microspheres with ultra performance liquid chromatography

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An OPP-based molecularly imprinted microsphere was synthesized.

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Composite material was synthesized by polymerizing the MIM on the surface of g-C₃N₄.

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A novel SPE cartridge was prepared by using the composite material MIM/g-C₃N₄.

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An SPE-UPLC method was developed for the detection of OPPs in dairy products.

Organophosphorus (OPPs) residues in dairy products are a potential threat to human health. To extract trace amounts of OPPs in dairy products, a graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) was synthesized and combined with OPPs-based molecularly imprinted microspheres (MIM) to create a composite material (MIM/g-C₃N₄). Then, the MIM/g-C₃N₄ was used to prepare a solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge to detect the OPPs in dairy products with UPLC method. The specific surface area of MIM/g-C₃N₄ was 172.208 m²/g, good thermal stability under 300℃, and could reuse up to 15 times. The four OPPs had good linear relationship within the range of 1–10000 ng/mL (r² > 0.999). The limits of detection were 0.7–2.6 ng/mL, and recoveries from blank dairy samples were 86.4 to 95.3 %. In this study, MIM combined with g-C₃N₄ was firstly utilized for the detection of OPPs in dairy products, which indicated it might be an ideal adsorbent for dairy products pretreatment.

Recent Trends in the Development of Carbon-Based Electrodes Modified with Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Antibiotic Electroanalysis

Antibiotics are antibacterial agents applied in human and veterinary medicine. They are also employed to stimulate the growth of food-producing animals. Despite their benefits, the uncontrolled use of antibiotics results in serious problems, and therefore their concentration levels in different foods as well as in environmental samples were regulated. As a consequence, there is an increasing demand for the development of sensitive and selective analytical tools for antibiotic reliable and rapid detection. These requirements are accomplished by the combination of simple, cost-effective and affordable electroanalytical methods with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with high recognition specificity, based on their “lock and key” working principle, used to modify the electrode surface, which is the “heart” of any electrochemical device. This review presents a comprehensive overview of MIP-modified carbon-based electrodes developed in recent years for antibiotic detection. The MIP preparation and electrode modification procedures, along with the performance characteristics of sensors and analytical methods, as well as the applications for the antibiotics’ quantification from different matrices (pharmaceutical, biological, food and environmental samples), are discussed. The information provided by this review can inspire researchers to go deeper into the field of MIP-modified sensors and to develop efficient means for reliable antibiotic determination.

Wearable biosensors for human fatigue diagnosis: A review

Fatigue causes deleterious effects to physical and mental health of human being and may cause loss of lives. Therefore, the adverse effects of fatigue on individuals and the society are massive. With the ever-increasing frequency of overtraining among modern military and sports personnel, timely, portable and accurate fatigue diagnosis is essential to avoid fatigue-induced accidents. However, traditional detection methods require complex sample preparation and blood sampling processes, which cannot meet the timeliness and portability of fatigue diagnosis. With the development of flexible materials and biosensing technology, wearable biosensors have attracted increased attention to the researchers. Wearable biosensors collect biomarkers from noninvasive biofluids, such as sweat, saliva, and tears, followed by biosensing with the help of biosensing modules continuously and quantitatively. The detection signal can then be transmitted through wireless communication modules that constitute a method for real-time understanding of abnormality. Recent developments of wearable biosensors are focused on miniaturized wearable electrochemistry and optical biosensors for metabolites detection, of which, few have exhibited satisfactory results in medical diagnosis. However, detection performance limits the wide-range applicability of wearable fatigue diagnosis. In this article, the application of wearable biosensors in fatigue diagnosis has been discussed. In fact, exploration of the composition of different biofluids and their potential toward fatigue diagnosis have been discussed here for the very first time. Moreover, discussions regarding the current bottlenecks in wearable fatigue biosensors and the latest advancements in biochemical reaction and data communication modules have been incorporated herein. Finally, the main challenges and opportunities were discussed for wearable fatigue diagnosis in the future.

Specific iodide effect on surface-enhanced Raman scattering for ultra-sensitive detection of organic contaminants in water

Ultra-sensitive detection of target molecules by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is crucial in a wide range of fields but remains a great challenge. In this work, we report a simple and effective protocol for obtaining highly SERS-sensitive probe by mixing iodide with silver sol. The specific iodide effect on the SERS sensitivity is systematically investigated. It is found that, iodide can effectively promote the SERS enhancement of anionic and cationic analytes, and I^- ion has a higher activating effect on SERS than that of Cl^- ion. The as-prepared SERS-active substrate demonstrates excellent enhancement for rhodamine 6G with a high Raman enhancement factor of 1.8 × 10⁸, which allows the detection limit of 1.0 × 10^-13 M. Our findings in this work should be important for the developing of SERS theory and ultra-sensitive detection applications.

Improving sorption performance of a molecularly imprinted monolithic column by doping mesoporous molecular sieve SBA-15

For the first time a hybrid molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) doped with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (γ-MPS)-modified mesoporous molecular sieve SBA-15 for target peptide recognition has been developed. Zinc acrylate and methacrylic acid were used as binary functional monomers, and ethylene dimethacrylate was used as cross-linking agent to prepare an imprinted monolith against Val-Tyr-Ala-Leu-Lys(glutarylation) (VYALK_glu). The morphology of the polymers was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and ¹H NMR. The SBA-15-MPS MIP showed high recovery of 87.1% and the IF of 12.9 for the enrichment of the template peptide. When the template peptide concentration ranged from 5 to 90 μg mL^-1, the correlation coefficients (R²) for the calibration function obtained was better 0.999. The limit of detection (LOD, 0.30 μg mL^-1) and limit of quantification (LOQ, 1.0 μg mL^-1) were achieved for signal-to-noise ratios of 3:1 and 10:1, respectively. When other kinds of synthetic peptides were used as analogs, the selectivity of the SBA-15-MPS MIP was much better than the SBA-15-MPS NIP (without template peptides) with relative selectivity coefficients of 52.8-265. In contrast, little quinolones and biogenic amines are adsorbed with the SBA-15-MPS MIP. The SBA-15-MPS MIP could enrich VYALK_glu from spiked histone digestion with the average recovery of 87.8% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.99%. As a conclusion, doping of SBA-15 is an effective approach to the improvement of performance of molecularly imprinted monolith.

Remediation of pharmaceuticals from contaminated water by molecularly imprinted polymers: a review

The release of pharmaceuticals into the environment induces adverse effects on the metabolism of humans and other living species, calling for advanced remediation methods. Conventional removal methods are often non-selective and cause secondary contamination. These issues may be partly solved by the use of recently-developped adsorbents such as molecularly imprinted polymers. Here we review the synthesis and application of molecularly imprinted polymers for removing pharmaceuticals in water. Molecularly imprinted polymers are synthesized via several multiple-step polymerization methods. Molecularly imprinted polymers are potent adsorbents at the laboratory scale, yet their efficiency is limited by template leakage and polymer quality. Adsorption performance of multi-templated molecularly imprinted polymers depends on the design of wastewater treatment plants, pharmaceutical consumption patterns and the population serviced by these wastewater treatment plants.