Isomeric glucose recognition using molecularly imprinted polymer hydrogels

The goal of this research is to produce molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs), which selectively bind glucose over other sugars. MIP hydrogels against glucose exhibited binding capacities in excess of 0.6 grams of glucose per gram of dry gel in a 100% DI H2O glucose solution, as well as in a 50-50% glucose-fructose solution mixture. Equilibrium binding capacities of fructose were lower than those observed with respect to glucose, indicating an isomeric preference for the binding of glucose over fructose. Although it is expected that imprinted cavities will be distorted due to the swelling of the hydrogel in water, our experiments show that even the swollen gels exhibit remarkable glucose recognition. This synthetic and characterization methodology for MIPs might thus offer exciting avenues for novel biomimetic recognition and isomeric separation techniques.