Optimization of serotonin imprinted polymers and recognition study from platelet rich plasma

Molecularly imprinted polymers using serotonin as the template molecule was prepared for selective recognition from platelet rich plasma by non-covalent imprinting approach. Four different monomers (methacrylic acid, acrylamide, 4-vinylpyridine and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) and acetonitrile and DMSO as porogen were investigated for the first time by bulk polymerization. The molecularly imprinted polymer which was prepared by acrylamide/methacrylic acid had the largest imprinting factor for serotonin. The affinity and specificity of these polymers were evaluated by equilibrium binding experiments. The effect of polarity of the solvents was examined by polymers binding capacity and imprinting factor. According to the Scatchard analysis the K-d and Q(max) values were calculated as 1.95 mu mol l(-1) and 19.129 mu mol g(-1), respectively. The polymer was tested to evaluate serotonin from platelet rich plasma and 70% serotonin recovery was found. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.