Peptide imprinted polymer synthesized by radiation-induced graft polymerization

The design of polymer surfaces with molecular recognition capabilities is an exciting subject with potential application in the analytical and biotechnological fields. Molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) are still in their infancy and new methodologies are required to broaden their application. In this paper, MIPs were synthesized by simultaneous radiation-induced graft polymerisation in a polar medium. Bacitracin, a cyclic decapeptide, was used as the target molecule to develop MIP grafted onto macroporous membranes. Soluble ternary complexes of vinyl pyridine, bacitracin and copper (II) were obtained and characterized by visible spectroscopy in an aqueous medium. These complexes were grafted onto macroporous polyethylene membranes. MIP materials showed ability to adsorb bacitracin in a higher amount than non-printed polymers. In addition, these materials showed a 5-fold greater selectivity to bacitracin than that of chemically modified bacitracins.