Current trends of functional monomers and cross linkers used to produce molecularly imprinted polymers for food analysis

Abstract

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as artificial synthetic receptors are in high demand for food analysis due to their inherent molecular recognition abilities. It is common practice to employ functional monomers with basic or acidic groups that can interact with analyte molecules via hydrogen bonds, covalent bonds, and other interactions (π-π, dipole-ion, hydrophobic, and Van der Waals). Therefore, selecting the appropriate functional monomer and cross-linker is crucial for determining how precisely they interact with the template and developing the polymeric network’s three-dimensional structure. This study summarizes the advancements made in MIP’s functional monomers and cross-linkers for food analysis from 2018 to 2023. The subsequent computational design of MIP has been thoroughly explained. The discussion has concluded with a look at the difficulties and prospects for MIP in food analysis.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Benefits of MIP in food analysis have been discussed.

• Different functional monomers of MIPs have been discussed.

• Different cross-linkers of MIPs have been discussed.

• Theoretical interactions between functional monomers and templates for MIP design have been discussed.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Molecularly imprinted polymers
• functional monomers
• cross-linkers
• food analysis
• computational studies

Acknowledgment

The authors (MS and SB) acknowledge the Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Gharaun, Mohali, for providing lab facilities. SB would also like to thank the University Centre for Research and Development of Chandigarh University, Gharaun, Mohali, India.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.