Synthesis and sorption performance of highly specific imprinted particles for the direct recovery of carminic acid

► Carminic acid imprinted beads were synthesized using 4-vinylpyridine as monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker. ► Pore size was observed to be 14 nm. ► Positive surface charge was observed at pH 4. ► Maximum capacity at equilibrium was 316 mg/g (0.64 mmol/g). ► Maximum available binding sites were 917 mg/g (1.8 mmol/g) for an association constant of 1.4 mM−1.