Improving methods of analysis for mycotoxins: molecularly imprinted polymers for deoxynivalenol and zearalenone

Selective polymeric phases intended for future use in separation/extraction of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone from beverages have been prepared. Using crystalline deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and quercetin, molecularly imprinted polymers were obtained by a non-covalent imprinting approach via a photo-initiated addition polymerization. Prepared polymers were based on 4-vinylpyridine, methacrylic acid or 2-trifluoromethylacrylic acid as the functional monomer and on ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, trimethyltrimethacrylate or divinylbenzene as the cross-linking monomer. Selectivity of the generated molecularly imprinted polymers has been investigated by application of the prepared molecularly imprinted polymers as stationary phases in high-pressure liquid chromatography experiments. The retention and elution behaviours of the template compounds and structurally related substances were determined and compared. The results promise future application of molecularly imprinted polymers as alternative selective matrices for clean-up and enrichment of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone.