ARS | Publication request: Synthesis and Evaluation of Imprinted Polymers for Selective Recognition of Fusaric Acid

Submitted to: American Chemical Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 21, 2008
Publication Date: August 21, 2008
Citation: Appell, M.D. 2008. Synthesis and Evaluation of Imprinted Polymers for Selective Recognition of Fusaric Acid [abstract]. American Chemical Society. p. 63.

Technical Abstract: Fusaric acid is produced by many Fusarium fungal species, and exhibits a range of biological activities, including anti-hypertensive effects. Although considered a weak mycotoxin, fusaric acid contamination of agricultural commodities is of concern for the possible toxic synergistic effects with co-occurring Fusarium mycotoxins. Methods to detect fusaric acid contamination can improve through the design of novel materials capable of selective recognition, such as molecularly imprinted polymers. Imprinted polymers were synthesized using the toxin analog approach for template selection. Polymer monoliths were prepared by free radical polymerization, and then ground, sieved, and washed prior to evaluation. Molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction analysis (MISPE) identified picolinic acid as a suitable template for fusaric acid recognition. Polymers imprinted with picolinic acid achieved improved selectivity and capacity for fusaric acid compared to non-imprinted polymers.