[Aflatoxin-selective molecularly-imprinted polymer membranes based on acrylate-polyurethane semi-interpenetrating...

Synthetic analogs of biological receptors able to group-selective recognition of aflatoxins were obtained using the combination of the technique of molecular imprinting with the method of computer modeling. The synthetic receptors were obtained in a form of thin and porous membranes based on semi-interpenetrating polymer networks. The selection of functional monomers able to noncovalent interactions with aflatoxins B1, B2, and G2 was based on the data of computer modeling. Allylamine, diethylaminoethylmethacrylate, and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide, providing high binding energies with aflatoxins B1, B2, and G2 were selected as functional monomers for the formation of aflatoxin B1-imprinted polymer membranes. It was shown that aflatoxin-B1-imprinted polymeric membranes synthesized using N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide as a functional monomer were characterized with good physico-mechanical properties as well as good adsorbtion capability towards aflatoxin B1. Neglidgible levels of aflatoxin B1 adsorbtion on the surface of blank membranes were observed. High adsorbtion capability of the MIP membranes towards mycotoxins affiliated to the group of aflatoxins was demonstrated, while negligible adsorbtion of ochratoxin A was observed. Therefore, synthetic analogs of biological receptors able to group-selective recognition of aflatoxins in the range 1-1000 ppb were developed.