Separation and determination of aflatoxin M1 with molecularly imprinted polymer

Many species such as antibodies, various proteins, DNA and organic molecules can be used as templates in molecularly imprinting to synthesize specific and selective polymers of this structure. In this study, imprinted polymer with specific spaces for Aflatoxin M1 molecules was synthesized, and applications were made in water and milk samples for the characteristic recognition and separation of aflatoxin M1. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) were used as a core in the center of the polymer so that the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) can be easily separated from the medium. Molecularly imprinted magnetic nanoparticles (MIP-MNP) were synthesized using the surface imprinting method. MNPs were synthesized by precipitation method in Fe2+ : Fe3+ alkaline medium. Vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) was used as the initiator of polymerization on the surface of MNPs. In the polymerization, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) was used as functional monomer and ethyleneglycolidimethacrylate (EGDMA) was used as crosslinker. The preparation of MIP-MNPs, which were prepared by applying the polymerization process initiated on the surface, was completed after 2 hours of printing on the surface. The resulting MIP-MNPs showed high affinity and selectivity towards Aflatoxin M1 molecules.