Selective enrichment of anti-inflammatory drugs from river water samples by solid-phase extraction with a molecularly imprinted polymer

Molecularly imprinted polymers for environmental adsorption applications

Molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) are synthetic materials with pores or cavities to specifically retain a molecule of interest or analyte. Their synthesis consists of the generation of three-dimensional polymers with specific shapes, arrangements, orientations, and bonds to selectively retain a particular molecule called target. After target removal from the binding sites, it leaves empty cavities to be re-occupied by the analyte or a highly related compound. MIPs have been used in areas that require high selectivity (e.g., chromatographic methods, sensors, and contaminant removal). However, the most widely used application is their use as a highly selective extraction material because of its low cost, easy preparation, reversible adsorption and desorption, and thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability. Emerging pollutants are traces of substances recently found in wastewater, river waters, and drinking water samples that represent a special concern for human and ecological health. The low concentration in which these pollutants is found in the environment, and the complexity of their chemical structures makes the current wastewater treatment not efficient for complete degradation. Moreover, these substances are not yet regulated or controlled for their discharge into the environment. According to the literature, MIPs, as a highly selective adsorbent material, are a promising approach for the quantification and monitoring of emerging pollutants in complex matrices. Therefore, the main objective of this work was to give an overview of the actual state-of-art of applications of MIPs in the recovery and concentration of emerging pollutants.

Optimising factors affecting solid phase extraction performances of molecular imprinted polymer as recent sample preparation technique

Molecular imprinted solid-phase extraction is the technique that uses molecular imprinted polymer as the sorbent in solid phase extraction. Molecular imprinted solid-phase extraction is effective and efficient for the extraction process and cleaning as compared with solid phase extraction (SPE) without molecular imprinted polymer. The complexity of variables in molecular imprinted solid-phase extraction arise as problems in the analysis, therefore it is necessary to optimize the extraction conditions of molecular imprinted solid-phase extraction. To achieve the sorption equilibrium and achieve the shortest time, certain parameters such as contact time, ion strength of sample, pH of sample, amount of sorbent, sample flow rate, addition of salt and buffer solution, washing solvent, elution solvent, and loading solvent need to be optimized. The selection of suitable properties and quantities of each factor greatly affect the formation of appropriate interactions between the sorbent and analytes. Percentage recovery is also influenced by formation of the appropriate bonds, sample flow rates, extraction time, salt addition, and sorbent mass. Therefore, in the future, molecular imprinted solid-phase extraction optimization has to consider and adjust various factors reviewed in this paper to form appropriate interactions between the absorbent and target molecules which have an impact on the optimal results.

Occurrence of naproxen, ibuprofen, and diclofenac residues in wastewater and river water of KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa

The present paper reports a detailed study that is based on the monitoring of naproxen, ibuprofen, and diclofenac in Mbokodweni River and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located around the city of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. Target compounds were extracted from water samples using a multi-template molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction prior to separation and quantification on a high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with photo diode array detector. The analytical method yielded the detection limits of 0.15, 1.00, and 0.63 μg/L for naproxen, ibuprofen, and diclofenac, respectively. Solid-phase extraction method was evaluated for its performance using deionized water samples that were spiked with 5 and 50 μg/L of target compounds. Recoveries were greater than 80% for all target compounds with RSD values in the range of 4.1 to 10%. Target compounds were detected in most wastewater and river water samples with ibuprofen being the most frequently detected pharmaceutical. Maximum concentrations detected in river water for naproxen, ibuprofen, and diclofenac were 6.84, 19.2, and 9.69 μg/L, respectively. The concentrations of target compounds found in effluent and river water samples compared well with some studies. The analytical method employed in this work is fast, selective, sensitive, and affordable; therefore, it can be used routinely to evaluate the occurrence of acidic pharmaceuticals in South African water resources.

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.

Preparation and study of tramadol imprinted micro-and nanoparticles by precipitation polymerization: microwave irradiation and conventional heating method

In the present work a series of tramadole imprinted micro- and nanoparticles were prepared and study their recognition properties. Methacrylic acid (MAA), as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker and different solvents (chloroform, toluene and acetonitrile (ACN)) were used for the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and non-imprinted polymers (NIPs). Several factors such as template/monomer molar ratio, volume of polymerization solvent, total monomers/solvent volume ratio, polymerization condition (heating or microwave irradiation) were also investigated. Particle size of the polymers, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), rebinding, selectivity tests and release study were applied for evaluation of the polymers. The optimized polymers with smaller particle size and superior binding properties were obtained in acetonitrile under heating method. MIPA4 with a size of 42.6 nm and a binding factor (BF) of 6.79 was selected for selectivity and release tests. The polymerization was not successful in acetonitrile and toluene under microwave irradiation. The MIPA4 could selectively adsorb tramadol, compared to imipramine, naltrexone and gabapentin. The data showed that tramadol release from MIPA4 was significantly slower than that of its non-imprinted polymer. Therefore, MIP nanoparticles with high selectivity, binding capacity and ability to control tramadol release could be obtained in precipitation polymerization with optimized condition.

Titania-based molecularly imprinted polymer for sulfonic acid dyes prepared by sol-gel method

A novel titania-based molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized through sol-gel process with sunset yellow (Sun) as template, without use of functional monomer. MIP was used as a solid-phase extraction material for the isolation and enrichment of sulfonic acid dyes in beverages. The results showed that MIP exhibited better selectivity, higher recovery and adsorption capacity for the sulfonic acid dyes compared to the non-imprinted polymer (NIP). MIP presented highest extraction selectivity to Sun when pH less than or equal to 3. The adsorption capacity was 485.9 mg g(-1), which was larger than that of NIP (384.7 mg g(-1)). The better clean-up ability demonstrated the capability of MIP for the isolation and enrichment of sulfonic acid dyes in complicated food samples. The mean recoveries for the sulfonic acid dyes on MIP were from 81.9% to 97.2% in spiked soft drink.

JEM spotlight: recent advances in analysis of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

Both ecosystem and human health rely on clean, abundant supplies of water, thus many classes of potential pollutants are regulated. In recent years, the possible risks associated with largely uncontrolled inputs of pharmaceuticals to rivers, lakes, groundwater, and coastal waters, mainly via wastewater, have been a focus of much research. During this time, our capacity to sequester, identify, and quantify pharmaceuticals in environmental matrices has improved. Devices have emerged to allow passive uptake of drugs to augment or replace laborious grab sampling. Advances in sample preparation have streamlined extraction procedures and removed interfering matrix components. New instrumental techniques have allowed faster, more accurate and sensitive detection of drugs in water samples. This review highlights all of these advances, from sample collection to instrumental analysis, which will continue to help us better understand the fate and effects of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems.

Selective trace analysis of diclofenac in surface and wastewater samples using solid-phase extraction with a new molecularly imprinted polymer

A new molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for trace analysis of diclofenac in environmental water samples was prepared by a non-covalent protocol in which diclofenac was used as a template molecule. Diclofenac is a member of the class of drugs termed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which belong to the most frequently detected pharmaceuticals in the water-cycle in Europe. The MIP was synthesized using 2-vinylpyridine (2-VP) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively, and bulk thermal polymerization method. (1)H NMR spectroscopy was used to study the interaction between diclofenac and 2-VP mixed in toluene-d(8) in pre-polymerization complex. Two non-covalent bonds were formed i.e. ionic interaction and hydrogen bonding. The binding characteristics of the MIP and diclofenac were evaluated using equilibrium binding experiments. Scatchard plot analysis revealed that two classes of binding sites were formed with dissociation constants of 55.6 micromol L(-1) and 1.43 mmol L(-1), respectively. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of the polymers have been evaluated to achieve the selective preconcentration of diclofenac from aqueous samples and to reduce non-specific interactions. This resulted in an MISPE-LC/DAD method allowing the direct extraction of the analyte from sample matrix with a selective wash using dichloromethane/acetonitrile (94:6, v/v) followed by elution with dichloromethane/methanol (85:15, v/v). The recovery of a 100 ng diclofenac standard spiked into 200 mL of blank surface water was 96%, with good precision (RSD=3.3%, n=3). The MISPE was demonstrated to be applicable to the analysis of diclofenac in raw influent and final effluent wastewater samples from sewage treatment plant and revealed diclofenac concentrations of 1.31+/-0.055 microg L(-1) (n=3) and 1.60+/-0.049 microg L(-1) (n=3), respectively. Yielded results were in good agreement with the corresponding LC/TIS/MS/MS data obtained by an independent laboratory which were 1.40 and 1.50 microg L(-1) for influent and effluent samples.

Artificial receptors

Herein I will provide a brief overview of artificial receptors with emphasis on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and their applications. Alternative techniques to produce artificial receptors such as in silico designed and modelled polymers as well as different receptors designed using libraries of more or less natural composition will also be mentioned. Examples of these include aptamers and bio-nanocomposites. The physical presentation of the receptors is important and may depend on the application. Block polymerization of MIPs and grinding to particles of suitable size used to be the preferred technique, but today beaded materials can be produced in sizes down to nanobeads and also nanofibers can be used to increase available surface area and thereby capacity. For sensor applications it may be attractive to include the artificial receptors in surface coatings or in membrane structures. Different composite designs can be used to provide additional desirable properties. MIPs and other artificial receptors are gaining rapidly increasing attention in very shifting application areas and an attempt to provide a systematic account for current applications has been made with examples from separation, solid-phase extraction, analysis, carbohydrate specific experiments, and MIPs-directed synthesis.

Sample preparation

A panorama of sample preparation methods has been composed from 481 references, with a highlight of some promising methods fast developed during recent years and a somewhat brief introduction on most of the well-developed methods. All the samples were commonly referred to molecular composition, being extendable to particles including cells but not to organs, tissues and larger bodies. Some criteria to evaluate or validate a sample preparation method were proposed for reference. Strategy for integration of several methods to prepare complicated protein samples for proteomic studies was illustrated and discussed.

Synthesis and application of a carbamazepine-imprinted polymer for solid-phase extraction from urine and wastewater

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) designed to enable the selective extraction of carbamazepine (CBZ) from effluent wastewater and urine samples has been synthesised using a non-covalent molecular imprinting approach. The MIP was evaluated chromatographically in the first instance and its affinity for CBZ also confirmed by solid-phase extraction (SPE). The optimal conditions for SPE consisted of conditioning of the cartridge using acidified water purified from a Milli-Q system, loading of the sample under basic aqueous conditions, clean-up using acetonitrile and elution with methanol. The attractive molecular recognition properties of the MIP gave rise to good CBZ recoveries (80%) when 100 mL of effluent water spiked with 1 microg L(-1) was percolated through the polymer. For urine samples, 2 mL samples spiked with 2.5 microg L(-1) CBZ were extracted with a recovery of 65%. For urine, the linear range was 0.05-24 mg L(-1), the limit of detection was 25 microg L(-1) and precision, expressed as relative standard deviation at 0.5 mg L(-1) (n=3), was 3.1% and 12.6% for repeatability and reproducibility between days, respectively.

Small organic molecular imprinted materials: their preparation and application

Molecular imprinting is a technique for preparing polymeric materials that are capable of recognizing and binding the desired molecular target with a high affinity and selectivity. The materials can be applied to a wide range of target molecules, even those for which no natural binder exists or whose antibodies are difficult to raise. The imprinting of small organic molecules (e.g., pharmaceuticals, pesticides, amino acids, steroids, and sugars) is now almost routine. In this review, we pay special attention to the synthesis and application of molecular imprinted polymer (MIPs) imprinted with small organic molecules, including herbicides, pesticides, and drugs. The advantages, applications, and recent developments in small organic molecular imprinted technology are highlighted.

Selective sample treatment using molecularly imprinted polymers

The molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic polymers possessing specific cavities designed for a target molecule. By a mechanism of molecular recognition, the MIPs are used as selective sorbents for the solid-phase extraction of target analytes from complex matrices. MIPs are often called synthetic antibodies in comparison with immuno-based sorbents; they offer some advantages including easy, cheap and rapid preparation and high thermal and chemical stability. This review describes the use of MIPs in solid-phase extraction with emphasis on their synthesis, the various parameters affecting the selectivity of the extraction, their potential to selectively extract analytes from complex aqueous samples or organic extracts, their on-line coupling with LC and their potential in miniaturized devices.

Application of molecularly imprinted polymers to solid-phase extraction of analytes from real samples

A review is presented of recent developments in the use of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as selective materials for solid-phase extraction. Compared with traditional sorbents, MIPs can not only concentrate but also selectively separate the target analytes from real samples, which is crucial for the quantitatively determination of analytes in complex samples. Consequently, as one of the most effective sorbents, MIPs have been successfully applied to the pretreatment of analytes in foods, drugs, and biological and environmental samples in the past five years.

Investigation of the nature of MIP recognition: The development and characterisation of a MIP for Ibuprofen

This paper describes the rational design, generation and testing of a molecularly imprinted polymer specific for Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a member of the class of drugs termed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). In the present study, Ibuprofen was used as a template molecule for the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers. A MIP has been produced which is capable of recognising Ibuprofen in aqueous media. Furthermore, Ibuprofen can be selectively extracted from aqueous conditions by molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE). Recoveries were typically high (>80%) and good selectivity for Ibuprofen over structurally related analogues was seen. Moreover, the nature of the recognition between MIP and template has been investigated by NMR and molecular modelling to analyse whether or not it is possible to predict how well a given MIP will perform under set conditions. In addition, the physical characteristics of the MIP have been investigated including the particle size distribution on exposure of the MIP to different solvents. This has been related to the ability of the MIP to rebind Ibuprofen under the same conditions. The data from the characterisation of the MIP has been used to further enhance the understanding of the nature of MIP recognition.