Quartz crystal microbalance for the determination of daminozide using molecularly imprinted polymers as recognition element

As the daminozide (DM) and its metabolite have been identified to be potentially carcinogenic, rapid detection method for them is necessary for food safety. A type of piezoelectric crystal sensor has been prepared by using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as recognition element. The molecularly imprinted polymer was prepared by hot-induced precipitation polymerization, and then the polymer particles were fixed on the surface of the electrode. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were employed to evaluate the obtained imprinted polymer particles and the MIP sensitive film coated on the electrode. The results showed that a typical time-response curve of the MIP-coated crystal to the DM solution had been given, frequency shifts versus logarithm changes of DM showed good linear correlation within the concentration range of 1.0 × 10−9 to 10−6 mg/mL (y = 11.38 lg x + 115.45, r = 0.9872) and 1.0 × 10−6 to 10−1 mg/mL (y = 25.22 lg x + 209.44, r = 0.9938), respectively. The detection limit was 5.0 × 10−8 mg/mL (S/N = 3), which is lower than that of conventional methods. Further, computer simulation technology was employed to investigate the interaction between methacrylic acid and DM for elucidating the recognition mechanism. The influencing factor pH has also been investigated. The injection experiments of DM structurally related compounds indicated that the obtained sensor has high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, low cost, good reproducibility, and reusable property by combining with piezoelectric crystal and molecularly imprinted polymer.