Molecularly imprinted polymer for L-tyrosine recognition and controlled release

Molecularly imprinted membranes (MIMs) with combined properties of molecular recognition and controlled release were prepared and characterized. MIMs were synthesized by the co-polymerization of chitosan (CS) and gelatine (GEL) in aqueous phase, using L-tyrosine as an imprinting molecule and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a porogen. Binding experiments were carried out to evaluate the properties of MIMs and nonmolecularly imprinted membranes (NIMs). The results demonstrated that the MIMs with diameters of about 500 nm had high adsorption capacity and selectivity to L-tyrosine (L-tyr). Moreover, release profiles and release rate of L-tyrosine from the L-tyrosine-loaded MIMs indicated that the MIMs also had potential applications in drug controlled release.