Molecularly imprinted co-polymer for class-selective electrochemical detection of macrolide antibiotics in aqueous media

This work demonstrates the determination of macrolide antibiotics in aqueous environments using a screen-printed electrode (SPE) combined with a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) prepared from dual functional monomers. By employing the reversible covalent interactions between diols of macrolide and bomnic acids of 3-aminophenylboronic acid (APBA) as well as the noncovalent interactions between macmlide and m-phenyl-enediamine (mPD), a dual recognition involving the central macmcyclic lactone exclusive to all macmlides was successfully achieved, thus permitting the possible broad recognition of individual members of the class. The prepared macrolide MIP (mMIP) was characterised by electrochemical and ellipsometric measurements. Following optimization, the sensor demonstrated about four times better recognition for macmlides, including erythromycin (Ery), clarithromycin (Cla), and azithromycin (Azi), than its non-imprinted reference. In addition, low analytical limits were achieved (LOD 1.1-1.6 nM and LOQ 3.8-5.3 nM). Moreover, an excellent selectivity was displayed towards the macrolides in both buffer and tap water samples, and a good recovery (93-108%) of the analytes was achieved. The analytical approach described herein could be further developed as a portable sensing device capable of on-site monitoring of macmlides in environmental water.

Automated summary

This study presents a method for determining macrolide antibiotics in aqueous environments using a screen-printed electrode combined with a molecularly imprinted polymer. The method achieves broad recognition of macrolides through dual recognition, and demonstrates excellent selectivity and recovery.