Synthesis and application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIP) in the construction of rapid analysis devices based in lateral flow type for the detection of environmental contaminants

• Grant number: 17/20789-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2018
• End date: May 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Maria Del Pilar Taboada Sotomayor
• Grantee: Rafael Rovatti Pupin
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50945-4 - INCT 2014: National Institute for Alternative Technologies of Detection, Toxicological Evaluation and Removal of Micropollutants and Radioactivies, AP.TEM

Abstract

Environmental contaminants are chemical compounds of different classes that cause pollution in the aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric environments; with adverse ecological effects and toxicity problems for animals and humans. Contaminants are classified into two main groups: traditional (known and studied for many decades) or emergent (identified only in the last twenty years). Due to the drawbacks caused by these compounds, methods for detecting and quantifying them attract great interest.In this context, Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIP) are part of one polymeric materials classes applied in the identification and preconcentration of different types of molecules with high selectivity. They are polymers that have high thermal resistance, low cost and can be modified (chemically and physically) in order to increase their performance. MIP are materials applied in the most diverse areas and with different analytical techniques; and the possibility of replacing biological materials in immunoassays by MIP has been explored more recently. Among these assays are the lateral flow devices, which are fast in obtaining the results, with high selectivity and stability, low cost and easy handling. Thus, the present project aims the synthesis of different types of MIP to be applied as recognition phase (replacing antibodies) in lateral flow strips for rapid analysis of environmental contaminants as pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Initially will be optimized the deposition mode of MIP in lateral flow strips, followed by the recognition and quantification tests. These initial assays for optimization and verification of system performance will be conducted with biotin as model analyte. Subsequently, MIP for atrazine and tetracycline, of the class of pesticides and antibiotics, respectively, will be synthesized for the analysis of environmental contaminants. The syntheses of conventional, high porosity and silica core-shell MIP will be optimized, with the proper physical and chemical characterization of these new polymers. After that, these polymers will be applied in the lateral flow strips and the colorimetric reaction for identification (with application of labeled antibodies and aptamers) and quantification (using image reading software) will be properly developed. The developed systems will be applied in synthetic samples and environmental and biological matrices. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PUPIN, RAFAEL ROVATTI; TABOADA SOTOMAYOR, MARIA DEL PILAR. Synthesis and evaluation of hollow porous molecularly imprinted polymer for selective determination of tetracycline. Journal of Materials Science, v. 57, n. 36, p. 13-pg., 2022-09-17. (14/50945-4, 19/00677-7, 17/20789-9)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

PUPIN, Rafael Rovatti. Synthesis and application of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) and use of aptamers in the construction of lateral flow type rapid analysis devices for tetracycline determination. 2021. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Química. Araraquara Araraquara.