Sample preparation is essential for the reproducibility and sensitivity of the analytical method. In the context of this thesis, we wanted to develop a highly efficient and at the same time selective preparation method with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) to be used as adsorbent in solid-phase extraction (SPE).
Within this framework we synthesised a MIP for an active pharmaceutical substance bupivacaine. As a first step, different MIPs were synthesised using varying polymerisation ingredients and at different polymerisation conditions. After removing the template, their binding properties were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The best performing MIP in terms of its superior affinity and capacity, and especially selectivity was then prepared in a higher amount. The synthesised MIP was washed off the template by Soxhlet extraction, and its binding properties were analysed. In the next step, the suitability of the MIP as an SPE sorbent was tested by determining. The extraction efficiency was determined, and the extraction process was further optimised to achieve a higher efficiency.
The MIP synthesised in larger quantities has a capacity of 5,00 mg/g in water, an affinity of 9,80 mL/g and an imprinting factor of 2,65. By modifying the synthesis, we were able to synthesise a polymer that has better binding properties than the polymer synthesised according to the literature procedure. When testing the suitability of the MIP for solid phase extraction, we obtained a 70 % recovery and a binding factor 2.33 times higher than that of the NIP. Based on the results, it can be said that the synthesised sorbent is suitable for use in the analytical procedure. Through validation of the HPLC method, we have confirmed that it is suitable for the characterisation of synthesised MIPs in aspects of binding efficiency and specificity, as well as in aspects of template leaching, which is often a problem in synthesised materials. Further investigation would be needed to determine whether the sorbent is suitable for use on real plasma samples.
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