Evaluation of the performance of a molecularly imprinted polymer for preconcentration of β-estradiol

摘要

Estrogenic compounds such as estradiol have a potential in altering the endocrine function of animals and humans even at low ng/L levels. Their presence in the aquatic environment has raised a considerable interest to determine its fate and behaviour. Several methods have been published in determining the concentration of estrogens in environmental matrices. However, even with sophisticated analytical instrumentation, the detection of estrogens at environmentally-relevant concentrations suffers from co-extracted matrix. Published procedures for sample clean up prior to analysis of estrogens by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC7MS) involve several steps, which may result in significant sample loss. We are exploring a new approach of selectively preconcentrating estradiol in the form of solid phase extraction (SPE) based on the recognition ability of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP). A particle format of MIP imprinted with β-estradiol was prepared from methacrylic acid as functional monomer and divinylbenzene or trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate as crosslinker. Binding studies of this polymer showed some selectivity over non-imprinted polymers using an appropriate solvent. The potential use of MIP as sample clean-up and enrichment step for estradiol in aqueous systems will be presented.