Flavonol fluorescent flow-through sensing based on a molecular imprinted polymer

Molecular imprinting has become a universal tool for the preparation of art ificial and robust recognition materials useful for diagnostics, industry a nd environmental analysis. Molecular imprinting polymers (MIPs) are easily obtained by copolymerization of suitable functional monomers and cross-link ers in presence of the desired molecule. In this work, an MIP selective for 3-hydroxyflavone (flavonol) has been prepared. Various polymerization cond itions were examined in order to determine their influence on the binding s trength and selectivity of the binding materials. Finally, this MIP has bee n utilized as a recognition element in a flow-through optosensing system wi th fluorescence detection, showing desirable sensitivity and selectivity ch aracteristics. (C)2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.