A survey about molecularly imprinted polymer application in selective separation of tartaric acid

A survey about molecularly imprinted polymer application in selective separation of tartaric acid Abstract: Using indicator compounds is an adulteration assessment method in food materials. Tartaric acid, the dominant acid existing in grapes, can be used as an indicator for grape juice presence in other juices. This work aimed at fabricating a facile molecularly imprinted polymer for tartaric acid selective separation. Polymers syntheses were performed with acrylamide and methacrylic acid as functional monomers and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross- linker in two levels (20 and 30 mmol). Applied polymerization method was precipitation type. Synthetized polymers binding capacity was investigated through HPLC. Polymers morphology was characterized with SEM, dynamic light scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analyses. Acrylamide based polymers with highest level of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate adsorbed highest amount of tartaric acid. Fabricated polymer had spherical shaped surface and was microsized. Tartaric acid complexation with acrylamide was affirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analysis. Based on the obtained results, molecularly imprinted polymer can be investigated and applied in detection and separation of tartaric acid from food medium.