Separation of STIGMA STEROL using magnetic molecularly imprinted nanopolymer fabricated by sol-gel method

Background and Aims Magnetically molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) are assumed as kind of sorbent polymers ýwhich can separate or determine bioactive compounds from environment fast and specifically. ýMagnetic properties, stability at various conditions (temperature , ionic strength and pH) and selective ýfunction are among the advantages of these polymers in determination of nutraceutical compound. In current research, a molecularly imprinted polymer synthesized by application of Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles and its functional properties were ýevaluated. Materials and Methods In order to fabricate polymer, firstly Coþ-þprecipitation method was used for ýmanufacturing of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated by ýsilica. Then stigmasterol imprinted ýpolymer were prepared by grafting sol-gel procedure. ýFinally obtained polymer were eluted by ýmixture of ethanol-water-chloroform to create specific sorbent cavities for stigmasterol. Polymer ýwas incubated with stigmasterol stock solution and binding capacity ýwas determined through high ýperformance liquid chromatography. Results Structure and morphology of ýsamples were evaluated by FT-ýIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy and Zeta sizer was used for determination of their zeta potential. ýMMIPs ýcould separate ýþ78% þý of stigmasterol from stock solution during 60 minutes and its binding ýcapacity was ýþ19.5þý mg/g. FT-IR spectrometry and zeta potential data revealed well-designed coating ýof silica around magnetic Fe3O4ý cores. Adsorbent silica layers were reinforced through sol-gel ýpolymerization method. Polymer morphology was porous, coarse and particle dimensions were ý less than 50 nanometers. Conclusion So regarding separation and structural characteristics of properties these sorbents, the produced magnetically imprinted nanopolymer can be used for detection of stigmasterol as a neutraceutical compound