Molecularly imprinted polymers for histamine recognition in aqueous environment

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) for histamine using methacrylic acid were developed and recognition mechanisms were thoroughly characterized for the first time in this study. The binding affinity of imprinted polymer with structurally related compounds was studied in organic and aqueous media, at various conditions. In organic media, MIP was found to bind histamine two and six times more than ranitidine and fluoxetine, respectively, whereas higher selectivity was observed in the case of dimentidene or disodium cromoglycate. The specific binding sites of MIP recognized histamine over L-histidine in aqueous conditions, while higher affinity for histamine compared to ranitidine, disodium cromoglycate, putrescine and to a putrescine analogue was observed. A combination of NMR and UV spectroscopy analyses for investigation of imprinting and recognition properties revealed that strong specific interactions between the functional monomer and histamine in the prepolymerization and in the aqueous solutions were probably responsible for histamine recognition. The preparation of histamine MIPs and elucidation of imprinting and recognition mechanism may serve as useful insight for future application of MIPs.