Recent advances and applications of molecularly imprinted polymers in solid-phase extraction for real sample analysis

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Sample pretreatment is crucial for analyzing complex real samples with low analyte concentrations.
• Solid-phase extraction (SPE) is a common pretreatment method, but conventional adsorbents often lack selectivity.
• Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer tailor-made recognition sites, acting as artificial receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review recent developments and applications of MIP-based SPE for analyte determination in complex real samples.
• To cover the period from 2015 to 2020.
• To discuss the challenges and future opportunities in this field.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on MIP-based SPE from 2015-2020.
• Systematic analysis of SPE modes, MIP adsorbent types, preparation methods, and applications.
• Categorization of applications across environmental, food, biological, and pharmaceutical samples.

Main Results:

• MIP-based SPE significantly improves selectivity compared to conventional SPE adsorbents.
• Diverse MIP materials and SPE formats have been developed for various target analytes.
• Successful applications demonstrated in the analysis of environmental, food, biological, and pharmaceutical samples.

Conclusions:

• MIP-based SPE is a powerful technique for selective separation, cleanup, and preconcentration of analytes in complex matrices.
• Continued research into novel MIP materials and methodologies will further expand its applicability.
• Addressing current challenges will unlock greater potential for MIP-based SPE in real-world sample analysis.