Preparation of a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for non-invasive determination of cortisol

Author(s)

Villa, Javier E. L. ^[1] ; Khan, Sabir ^[1] ; Neres, Lucas C. S. ^[1] ; Sotomayor, Maria D. P. T. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista UNESP, Inst Quim, BR-14800060 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH; v. 28, n. 8 AUG 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This work presents the theoretical design, synthesis, characterization and application of a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (Mag-MIP) to quantify cortisol, the main stress biomarker, in urine samples. Density functional theory was used to predict a suitable solvent (acetonitrile) and a functional monomer (methacrylic acid) for MIP synthesis. Under these conditions, the Mag-MIP material was obtained by surface polymerization of modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles synthesized via the polyol method. The materials were characterized by scanning/transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and thermogravimetric and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface analyses. Additionally, the Mag-MIP binding experiments showed rapid cortisol adsorption (completed in 20 min), Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm and a pseudo-first-order kinetic equation behaviour, and an excellent maximum binding capacity (200 mu g g(-1)). The results were compared to those obtained for the magnetic non-imprinted polymer (Mag-NIP) and showed superior Mag-MIP performance. Selectivity experiments indicated that the Mag-MIP is capable of efficiently capturing cortisol in the presence of potential interfering substances. The Mag-MIP material was then applied to rapid quantitative cortisol extraction from urine samples prior to high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (limit of detection of 4 mu g L-1 and recoveries ranging between 92 and 100%). Therefore, the proposed method might be readily implemented for routine non-invasive monitoring of human stress levels and other cortisol-related conditions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/00677-7 - RADes-MIP - preparation and synthesis of materials for development of rapid analysis devices for monitoring emerging pollutants using highly selective biomimetic polymers based on molecular printing technology
• Grantee: Maria Del Pilar Taboada Sotomayor
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/50945-4 - INCT 2014: National Institute for Alternative Technologies of Detection, Toxicological Evaluation and Removal of Micropollutants and Radioactivies
• Grantee: Maria Valnice Boldrin
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/24196-2 - Development of ultrasensitive and selective spectrochemical sensors for the determination of hormones in environmental samples and biological fluids
• Grantee: Javier Erick Lobatón Villa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral