Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Selective Extraction of Tartaric Acid

Abstract

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthetized through precipitation polymerization method for the detection of tartaric acid. Acrylamide or methacrylic acid as functional monomers as well as amount of cross-linker were regarded as polymerization variables. The reactants were dissolved in acetonitrile-ethanol (8 : 2) solution. The synthetized polymers were characterized by HPLC, fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), thermogravimetric and dynamic light scattering techniques. Batch adsorption experiments with control by HPLC revealed better binding capacity of acrylamide-based polymers compared to methacrylic acid polymers in phosphate buffer saline solution as binding medium. Highest binding capacity was obtained at 30 : 1 cross-linker to template ratio. Tartaric acid complexation with acrylamide was affirmed by FTIR. Tartaric acid is the dominant acid in red grape and can be utilized as red grape juice “fingerprint” in other juices like pomegranate juice which is known to be adulterated in beverage industry. Based on the obtained results, this easily synthesized polymer for tartaric acid can be used in the detection of the presence of red grape juice in pomegranate juice. The synthesized MIP can potentially be applied in sensors for tartaric acid.