Recent advances in molecularly imprinted polymers in food analysis

Abstract

Food security as a world issue has received increasing concern, and therefore, effective analytical methods and technologies have been continuously developed. However, the matrix complexity of food samples and the trace/ultratrace presence of targeted analytes require highly efficient cleanup and enrichment materials and procedures. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with specific recognition abilities as versatile materials are being increasingly developed for diverse species in various fields, especially in food analysis. In this review, we mainly summarize the recent advances in MIPs used for food matrices over the last 5 years. We focus on toxic and harmful substances, such as pesticide/drug residues, heavy metals, microbial toxins, and additives. Some relatively new preparation methods involving surface imprinting, composites, and stimuli responsiveness are reviewed. Different MIPs as solid-phase adsorbents in solid-phase extraction, solid-phase microextraction, matrix solid-phase dispersion, stirring bar sorptive extraction, and magnetic material extraction and as stationary phases in chromatographic separation for foodstuff have been comprehensively summarized. MIP-based biomimetic sensing and enzymelike catalysis receive special attention. Moreover, some limitations and comparisons related to MIPs performances are also discussed. Finally, some significant attempts to further promote MIP properties and applications to ensure food safety are discussed.

Molecular imprinting: perspectives and applications

“…A series of excellent reviews give exceptionally thorough accounts of molecular imprinting, [1][2][3]12,13,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] and most of them have placed more emphasis on the fundamental aspects and characteristic applications of MIPs instead of the MIT technology. To the best of our knowledge, there are few review articles on novel techniques related to the preparation of MIPs.…”

Evaluation of two molecularly imprinted polymers for the solid‐phase extraction of natural, synthetic and mycoestrogens from environmental water samples before liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry

“…In fact, they have been used with success as stationary phases in chromatography [1] or electrochromatography [1], as parts of sensors [1,2] and especially as sorbents for sample preparation [1,3,4], among others.…”

Preparation of Quantum Dots and Fluorescent Molecularly Imprinted Composite Microspheres for Determination of Tyramine

“…Therefore, it is very important to improve the preparation method of high-performance quantum dot molecular imprinting fluorescence sensor and establish a new detection method [19] . MIPs and QDs technology are both polymer materials technology, which have developed over recent decades and are widely used in various fields, including the field of food safety [20] . It has been reported that the MIP-coated CdTe composites integrate the advantages of the high selectivity of the molecular imprinting and strong fluorescence property of the QDs [21] .…”