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Molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction for the selective HPLC determination of alpha-tocopherol in bay leaves
1Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università della Calabria, Edificio Polifunzionale, Arcavacata di Rende (CS) 87036, Italy. francesco.puoci@unical.it
Analytica Chimica Acta
|June 5, 2007
Summary
A novel sorbent for molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) was developed to purify alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TP) from vegetable sources. This method offers selective extraction and direct HPLC injection, avoiding toxic solvents and sample pre-treatments.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Polymer Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TP) is a vital antioxidant found in vegetable sources.
- Traditional methods for alpha-TP extraction often involve complex sample pre-treatments and toxic organic solvents.
- Developing selective and efficient extraction techniques for alpha-TP is crucial for its analysis and application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a novel sorbent for molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) for alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TP) purification.
- To evaluate the performance of the synthesized sorbent in selectively extracting alpha-TP from vegetable sources.
- To develop a simplified and environmentally friendly analytical protocol for alpha-TP determination.
Main Methods:
- Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized using methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) via photo-polymerization.
- The synthesized MIPs were employed as a sorbent in a solid phase extraction (SPE) protocol for alpha-TP.
- The MISPE eluate was directly injected into High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for analysis.
Main Results:
- Photo-polymerization successfully yielded MIPs with imprinting effects, while thermo-polymerization did not.
- The MISPE protocol demonstrated selective recognition and extraction of alpha-TP from aqueous mixtures.
- The developed MISPE-HPLC method exhibited high sensitivity (LOD: 3.49x10^-7 mol L^-1, LOQ: 1.16x10^-6 mol L^-1), good precision (intraday <3.3%, interday <6.5%), and 60% recovery.
- The procedure allows direct HPLC injection without sample pre-treatment and uses non-toxic, biocompatible solvents.
Conclusions:
- A novel and effective MISPE sorbent was successfully synthesized for alpha-tocopherol purification.
- The developed MISPE-HPLC method provides a sensitive, precise, and efficient approach for alpha-TP analysis.
- This protocol overcomes limitations of traditional methods by simplifying sample preparation and utilizing safer solvents, making it suitable for analyzing alpha-TP in natural products like bay leaves.