Synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymer and its molecular recognition properties of N-acetylneuraminic acid

Abstract

A molecular imprinting technique was applied in this work to detect N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and its analogue structure. Two molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) were prepared using Neu5Ac as the template molecule, as well as methacrylic acid (MAA) or 4-vinylpyridine (4-Vpy) and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively. Free radical polymerization was carried out at 4°C under UV radiation or thermal (60°C) polymerization. MIP thus obtained were ground into 11-25μm and 25-44μm. The binding results from Neu5Ac solution, mannose (Man) solution and N-acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc) solution performed by Neu5Ac-MIP showed specific binding toward Neu5Ac rather than other analogue compounds on the host-guest system. The values of capacity for Neu5Ac-MIP were measured and experimental results were further used for simulation to obtain the binding isotherms. The principal advantage of this method is that Neu5Ac- MIP can recognize Neu5Ac and its analogue compounds.