Molecularly imprinted
polymers (MIPs) are synthetic receptors having
specific cavities intended for a template molecule with a retention
mechanism that depends on molecular recognition of the targeted constituent.
They were initially established for the detection of minor molecules
including drugs, pesticides, or pollutants. One of the most remarkable
areas where MIPs have potential utilization is in food analysis, especially
in terms of volatile compounds which are found in very low concentrations
in foods but play a crucial role for consumer preference and acceptance.
In recent years, these polymers have been used extensively for sensing
volatile organic and off-odor compounds in terms of food quality for
selective high-extraction purposes. This review first summarizes the
basic principles and production processes of MIPs. Second, their recent
applications in the separation, identification, and quantification
of volatile and off-odor compounds in food samples are elucidated.