Preparation of dual-template molecularly imprinted polymer coated stir bar based on computational simulation for detection of fluoroquinolones in meat

•Synthesis of dual-template molecular imprinted polymer (DMIP) for fluoroquinolones.•Studying its recognition mechanism by using computational simulation software.•Preparation of a DMIP based stir bar sorptive extraction method (SBSE).•Optimization of absorption condition, extraction time, desorption solvent and time.•Application of DMIP-SBSE to detect the residues of nine fluoroquinolones in meat.

In this study, a dual-template molecularly imprinted polymer-coated stir bar capable of recognizing nine fluoroquinolone drugs was prepared. Its recognition abilities for fluoroquinolones and other drugs were studied by using computational simulation method. Results showed that the shape and volume of the imprinted cavities were responsible for the polymer's recognition performance. After optimization of several important parameters, a stir-bar-sorptive-extraction method was developed that was combined with high performance liquid chromatography for determination of the nine drugs in meat. The stir bar showed high enrichment factors (33-47 folds), high capture capacities (4640-4950 ng) and high recoveries (>90%) for the nine drugs, and could be reused for thirty times. The limits of detection for the nine drugs were in the range of 0.1-0.3 ng g−1, and the recoveries from the fortified blank meat were in the range of 67.4%-99.0%. Therefore, this method could be used as a simple, rapid and specific tool for routine detection of residual fluoroquinolones in meat.