Magnetic Core-Shell Nanoparticles Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Zearalenone Determination

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Zearalenone is a prevalent mycotoxin found in water sources, posing potential health risks.
• Selective and sensitive detection methods are crucial for monitoring zearalenone contamination in environmental samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel molecularly imprinted magnetic nano-beads for the selective extraction of zearalenone.
• To develop an efficient method for zearalenone analysis in river and tap water using HPLC-FLD.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of magnetic nano-beads using a semi-covalent imprinting approach with Fe3O4 core and functionalized silica layers.
• Characterization of the synthesized material using TEM, XRD, and FT-IR spectroscopy.
• Optimization of solid-phase extraction (SPE) parameters including loading, washing, and elution steps.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) on magnetic nano-beads.
• Demonstrated selective extraction of zearalenone from water samples.
• Achieved sensitive determination of zearalenone at trace levels (12.5, 25, 50 µg L⁻¹) with high accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The developed molecularly imprinted magnetic nano-beads offer a promising tool for selective zearalenone extraction.
• The MISPE-HPLC-FLD method provides a reliable and sensitive approach for zearalenone monitoring in environmental waters.