Evaluation of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Performance for Removal of Oxytetracycline from Aqueous and milk

Among the growing concerns over recent decades in the field of environmental pollution, is the use of antibiotics increase bacterial resistance to antibiotics used in human body. The aim of this research was to synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) particles for the Oxytetracycline (OTC) antibiotic removal from the aqueous and milk. The influence of different parameters such as pH (2-10), contact time (5-120 min) and MIP amounts (0.1 – 1.0 g/L) was studied on optimization of OTC removal. The synthesized MIP particles was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and absorption and desorption of nitrogen (BET). The results showed that the removal efficiency is higher in neutral pH and with increasing amounts of MIP particle, removal efficiency increases. The best condition for OTC removal was determined at pH, 6.5, 90 min and 280 mg/g as maximum absorption capacity. The MIP performance for OTC removal from milk was investigated too. The performance of MIP polymer particles in OTC removal in milk samples supplied from an animal husbandry in Yazd showed that these adsorbents can help to effectively reduce the residues of drug contaminants in dairy samples.