Signaling molecularly imprinted polymers: molecular recognition-based sensing materials

Molecular imprinting is a template polymerization technique that can easily provide synthetic polymers capable of molecular recognition for given target molecules. In addition to their highly specific recognition ability, we are attempting to introduce signaling functions to molecularly imprinted polymers, enabling them to respond according to specific binding events. Some of our work regarding such signaling molecularly imprinted polymers is presented here, including molecularly imprinted polymers that induce spectral shifts of target compounds because of binding. Such compounds include hydrogen-bonding-based fluorescent imprinted polymers and metalloporphyrin-based signaling molecularly imprinted polymers.     

Solid-phase extraction of iron(III) with an ion-imprinted functionalized silica gel sorbent prepared by a surface imprinting technique

A new Fe(III)-imprinted amino-functionalized silica gel sorbent was prepared by a surface imprinting technique for selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) of Fe(III) prior to its determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Compared with non-imprinted polymer particles, the ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) had higher selectivity and adsorption capacity for Fe(III). The maximum static adsorption capacity of the ion-imprinted and non-imprinted sorbent for Fe(III) was 25.21 and 5.10 mg g⁻¹, respectively. The largest selectivity coefficient of the Fe(III)-imprinted sorbent for Fe(III) in the presence of Cr(III) was over 450. The relatively selective factor (α_r) values of Fe(III)/Cr(III) were 49.9 and 42.4, which were greater than 1. The distribution ratio (D) values of Fe(III)-imprinted polymers for Fe(III) were greatly larger than that for Cr(III). The detection limit (3σ) was 0.34 μg L⁻¹. The relative standard deviation of the method was 1.50% for eight replicate determinations. The method was validated by analyzing two certified reference materials (GBW 08301 and GBW 08303), the results obtained is in good agreement with standard values. The developed method was also successfully applied to the determination of trace iron in plants and water samples with satisfactory results.     

Unraveling the mystery of efficacy in Chinese medicine formula: New approaches and technologies for research on pharmacodynamic substances

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the key to unlock treasures of Chinese civilization. TCM and its compound play a beneficial role in medical activities to cure diseases, especially in major public health events such as novel coronavirus epidemics across the globe. The chemical composition in Chinese medicine formula is complex and diverse, but their effective substances resemble “mystery boxes”. Revealing their active ingredients and their mechanisms of action has become focal point and difficulty of research for herbalists. Although the existing research methods are numerous and constantly updated iteratively, there is remain a lack of prospective reviews. Hence, this paper provides a comprehensive account of existing new approaches and technologies based on previous studies with an in vitro to in vivo perspective. In addition, the bottlenecks of studies on Chinese medicine formula effective substances are also revealed. Especially, we look ahead to new perspectives, technologies and applications for its future development. This work reviews based on new perspectives to open horizons for the future research. Consequently, herbal compounding pharmaceutical substances study should carry on the essence of TCM while pursuing innovations in the field.     

Biocatalysis and biorecognition in nonaqueous media. Some perspectives in analytical biochemistry

Biocatalysis and, to a lesser extent, biorecognition in non-aqueous media (including organic solvents as well as supercritical fluids and gases) constitute at present an exciting research area which has already demonstrated its biotechnological potential in numerous, varied applications. Less attention, however, has been paid to its analytical possibilities, even though many advantages have been postulated and a wide range of poorly water-soluble analytes are present in samples (or waste materials) from food and drink, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, military and other industries. The main approaches, developed in recent years to exploit the use of enzymes, antibodies or antibody mimics in water-restricted environments for analytical purposes, as well as possible future directions are briefly discussed.     

烟碱分子烙印聚合物的吸附特性

利用分子烙印技术，以烟碱为烙印分子，甲基丙烯酸(MAA)为功能单体，乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯(EDMA)为交联剂，合成了对烟碱具有特异性作用的分子烙印聚合物P(Nic)；通过平衡吸附实验，评价了其对烟碱的亲和力和选择性。与非烙印聚合物相比，P(Nic)对烟碱表现了很高的亲和力；Scatchard分析表明在P(Nic)中存在对烟碱有不同的亲和力的两类作用位点。通过与氨基吡啶类物质在P(Nic)上的吸附行为比较，表明P(Nic)对烟碱具有很好的选择性。本工作证明了用P(Nic)作为固相萃取(SPE)材料选择性地从烟草烟雾中提取烟碱的可能性。     

Spherical molecularly imprinted polymers (SMIPs) via a novel precipitation polymerization in the controlled delivery of sulfasalazine

Spherical molecularly imprinted polymers (SMIPs) have been prepared via a novel precipitation polymerization using sulfasalazine (prodrug used in the diseases of the colon) as template. The sulfasalazine was incorporated into SMIPs and into a spherical non-imprinted polymer (control), and then the release rate of the bioactive agent at different pH values was evaluated. Considerable differences in the release characteristics between imprinted and non-imprinted polymers have been observed. This opens the possibility of the development of drug release systems capable of modulating the release of a specific molecule. Photomicrography of spherical molecularly imprinted polymers (SMIPs).     

Preparation, characterization and properties studies of quinine-imprinted polymer in the aqueous phase

The uniform-sized spherical molecularly imprinted polymers were successfully prepared through molecular imprinting technology by two-step seed swelling and mini-emulsion polymerization in the aqueous condition using quinine as template molecules and methacrylic acid (MAA) as functional monomer. The polymers were characterized by IR spectra, thermal-weight analysis, scanning electron microscope and laser particle size analysis. The properties of imprinted polymers were investigated in different organic phases and aqueous media. In the organic media, results suggested that polar interactions (hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions) between acidic monomer/polymer and template molecules are mainly responsible for the binding and recognition; whereas in the aqueous medium, a considerable recognition effect was also obtained where the ionic (electrostatic) interaction and hydrophobic interaction play an important role. The experiments of binding different substrates indicated that the MIPs possessed an excellent rebinding ability and inherent selectivity to quinine. __________ Translated from Zhongshan Dcocue Xuebao/Acta Scientianum Natralium University Sunyatseni, 2005, 44(3)(in Chinese)     

Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Particles by Suspension Polymerization in Silicon Oil

Molecular imprinting is a method to prepare polymers with recognition site of desired and predetermined selectivity1. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) are prepared by copolymerizing functional and cross-linking monomers in the presence of a molecular …     

L-组氨酸手性识别印迹固定相的制备及表征

以L-组氨酸为模板分子, 甲基丙烯酸为功能单体, 乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯为交联剂, 偶氮二异丁腈为引发剂, 在水-乙腈微乳体系中采用沉淀聚合方法制备了具有手性识别L-组氨酸功能的印迹微球. 采用静态平衡吸附实验及色谱分析探讨聚合微球对模板分子的选择识别吸附性能. 结果表明, 该印迹聚合物微球对模板分子存在两种结合位点, 最大表观结合量分别为33.04和24.16 μmol/g. 相对于常规的C18柱, 该印迹聚合物填充柱能够完全分离L-组氨酸和D-组氨酸, 分离度R为2.23, 选择因子为2.14. 利用差热分析、红外光谱及X射线衍射等技术表征聚合物微球的热性能及结构. 结果表明, 聚合物微球具有良好的热稳定性, 是一种具有部分晶体结构的聚合物.