Molecular imprinted polymers targeting phenylalanine

A method for the preparation of molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs), which specifically bind L-phenylalanine (Phe) and L-Phe residues, said method comprising the steps of

• a) polymerization of a mixture comprising
• 2-methylprop-2-enoic acid (MAA),
• 1,4-bis(acryloyl)piperazine (DAP), and
• a template molecule consisting of L-Phe or a L-Phe derivative exposing a phenylalanine motif in the presence of a catalyst and an oxidizing agent,
• so as to obtain a cross-linked imprinted polymer,
• b) if necessary subsequently fragmenting the cross-linked imprinted polymer to obtain a first fragmented polymer, and collecting the MIPs having particle sizes smaller than 63 μm,
• c) optionally washing and drying the polymer fraction obtained from step b),
• d) fragmenting the polymer fraction obtained from step b) or c) and collecting a second fragmented polymer having particle sizes in the range 150-250 nm,
• e) subjecting the second fragmented polymer obtained from step d to affinity chromatography where Phe constitutes the affinity tag in a chromatographic matrix, and
• f) recovering MIPs binding to Phe in step e).