Bovine serum albumin detection by using molecularly imprinted surface plasmon resonance sensors

Molecular imprinted polymers (MIP) have key-lock pattern binding properties specific to the size and shape of target molecules. In this study, we have prepared detection platforms based on a molecularly imprinted surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor that can detect bovine serum albumin (BSA) sensitively, selectively, quickly, and in real time. The polymeric film prepared on the SPR sensor surface by molecular imprinting method was obtained by selecting the N-methacryloyl-(L)-glutamic acid molecule as a suitable functional monomer using ultraviolet polymerization. Three different imprinting methods, such as epitope, bulk, and surface imprinting methods, were used to examine the imprinting efficiency. Real-time measurements were performed with BSA imprinted SPR sensor provide linearity in the concentration range from 0.10 to 7.50 nM and indicate a detection limit value of 0.015 nM. Furthermore, we performed the selectivity experiments, where transferrin and hemoglobin were chosen as competitor agents. Overall, the SPR sensor prepared by the epitope imprinting approach has been found to be highly selective and sensitive for bovine serum albumin. To statistically assess the reusability of the sensor, intraday experiments were tested three times with five replicates. The RSD% value less than <1.3 indicates high reproducibility for both sensor production and reproducibility of the method. Validation studies were carried out via enzyme-linked immunosorbent analysis technique (ELISA) in order to demonstrate the applicability of the BSA imprinted SPR sensor. Due to their features such as reusability, fast response time, and ease of use, these SPR sensors, which could be used as an alternative to albumin monitoring approaches, can also be adapted to detect and monitor other proteins in real time.