Application of molecularly imprinted polymers for the separation and detection of aflatoxin

Abstract

Aflatoxins are extremely harmful carcinogens to humans and animals. In recent years, attention has been directed toward the application of molecular imprinting polymers for the separation and detection of aflatoxin. In this review, polymerization methods for the preparation of molecular imprinting polymers for aflatoxin detection, such as lump-bulk polymerization, spherical molecular imprinting polymer synthesis, surface-imprinted polymerization, and electropolymerization, are described. The applications of molecular imprinting polymers in solid-phase extraction, biosensors, and the surface-enhanced Raman detection of aflatoxin are also reviewed in this paper.