A molecularly imprinted polymer for microextraction by packed sorbent of sulfonylureas herbicides from corn samples

Author(s)

Andrade, Felipe N. ; Santos-Neto, Alvaro Jose ; Medina, Deyber Arley V. ; Lancas, Fernando M.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Food Composition and Analysis; v. 121, p. 7-pg., 2023-05-12.

Abstract

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized and assessed as a selective extraction phase in the microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) of sulfonylureas herbicides (SUHs) - Thifensulfuron, Chlorosulfuron, Tribenuron, and Bensulfuron - from grounded corn samples. Bensulfuron was employed as the template for the MIP preparation. MIP particles were chemically and structurally characterized. Distribution (Kd), selectivity (k), and relative selectivity (k') coefficients were estimated using binary mixtures of bensulfuron/betazon and bensulfuron/prometon. The most significant parameters affecting the MEPS performance were systematically studied in univariate and multivariate experiments. Analyses were performed by liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ToF). Under selected conditions, the developed MIP-MEPS-LC-ToF method demonstrated suitable analytical confidence and reliability. Determination coefficients (r2) higher than 0.9940, and limits of detection (LODs) of 2.5 mu g kg-1 were obtained. Intra- and interday precision was lower than 14.2%, and accuracy ranged between 89.6% and 113.6%. The synthesized MIP demonstrated enhanced selectivity and higher SUHs uptake capability compared to the non-imprinted polymer (NIP) and tested commercial sorbents. Besides, the method is a cheap, feasible, and environmentally friendly analytical tool. A single MEPS device packed with 1.0 mg of MIP was reused more than 180 times without loss in its extraction capabilities. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/15462-5 - Employment of graphene as sorbent in miniaturized sample preparation techniques.
• Grantee: Bruno Henrique Fumes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/09898-4 - Development of molecularly imprinted polymer and use for the sample preparation and analysis of triazine and sulfonylurea in maize using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
• Grantee: Felipe Nascimento Andrade
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/22724-7 - Novel instrumental approaches for automated and miniaturized analytical methods for the detection of organic compounds by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry
• Grantee: Deyber Arley Vargas Medina
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 17/02147-0 - Single drop chromatography and its coupling to mass spectrometry: instrumental strategies, development of materials, automation and analytical applications
• Grantee: Fernando Mauro Lanças
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/07347-9 - Development of novel materials and devices for miniaturized sample preparation techniques in the area of food safety
• Grantee: Fernando Mauro Lanças
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/17425-4 - Evaluation of MEPS technique applied in pesticides analysis in sugarcane juice by GC-MS
• Grantee: Bruno Henrique Fumes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master