Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Molecular imprinting is a process by which selected functional monomers are allowed to self-assemble around a template molecule and subsequently polymerized in the presence of a crosslinker. Once the template molecule is extracted from the resulting polymer, a cavity complementary in shape and functionality is present in the matrix, which will bind molecules identical or closely related to the template.

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) is a polymer with a «memory» of the shape and the functional groups of a template molecule. This material is designed in order to recognize selectively the template molecule used in the imprinting process, even in the presence of compounds with structures and functionality similar to those of the template. Molecularly imprinted polymer then acts essentially as an antibody. High molecular recognition properties can be achieved with these MIPs for a variety of molecules.

MIPs applications : AFFINIMIP® SPE

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) present an interesting alternative to IAC (immune assay chromatography) and do not suffer from storage limitations and stability problems regarding organic solvents. They are also characterized by a higher capacity than IAC, i.e. a higher amount of a target analyte being retained on MIP when comparing a similar amount of sorbent packed in an SPE cartridge.

Thanks to these interesting properties, AFFINISEP has developed AFFINIMIP® SPE, a range of solid phase extraction phases used for sample cleanup applications in food and feed safety analysis, environment analysis, life sciences, and pharmaceutical R&D.

For example, we have developed sample preparation methods for a broad range of target molecules such as mycotoxins (Patulin, Zearalenone, Ochratoxin A, Fumonisins), drugs (amphetamines), endocrine disrupting compounds on food matrices (cereals, milk, coffee, wine, etc…) such as Bisphenol A, Estrogens (Estradiol)…

More information about AFFINIMIP® SPE

Our solution AFFINIMIP® SPE has been mentioned in the article of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition “An advantageous application of molecularly imprinted polymers in food processing and quality control“.

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