Separation of STIGMA STEROL using magnetic molecularly imprinted nanopolymer fabricated by sol-gel method

Background & Aims: Magnetically molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) are assumed as kind of sorbent polymers which can separate or determine bioactive compounds from environment fast and specifically. Magnetic properties, stability at various conditions (temperature , ionic strength and pH) and selective function are among the advantages of these polymers in determination of nutraceutical compound. In current research, a molecularly imprinted polymer synthesized by application of Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles and its functional properties were evaluated. Materials & Methods: In order to fabricate polymer, firstly Co-precipitation method was used for manufacturing of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated by silica. Then stigmasterol imprinted polymer were prepared by grafting sol-gel procedure. Finally obtained polymer were eluted by mixture of ethanol-water-chloroform to create specific sorbent cavities for stigmasterol. Polymer was incubated with stigmasterol stock solution and binding capacity was determined through high performance liquid chromatography. Results: Structure and morphology of samples were evaluated by FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy and Zeta sizer was used for determination of their zeta potential. MMIPs could separate 78 % of stigmasterol from stock solution during 60 minutes and its binding capacity was 19.5 mg/g. FT-IR spectrometry and zeta potential data revealed well-designed coating of silica around magnetic Fe3O4 cores. Adsorbent silica layers were reinforced through sol-gel polymerization method. Polymer morphology was porous, coarse and particle dimensions were less than 50 nanometers. Conclusion: So regarding separation and structural characteristics of properties these sorbents, the produced magnetically imprinted nanopolymer can be used for detection of stigmasterol as a neutraceutical compound.