A novel molecularly imprinted polymer for the selective removal of chlorophyll from heavily pigmented green plant extracts prior to instrumental analysis

Bareki Shima Batlokwa, Janes Mokgadi, Ronald Majors, Charlotta Turner, Nelson Torto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) powder designed for the selective removal of interfering chlorophyll pigment from heavily pigmented green plant extracts during pesticide residue analysis or analysis for bioactives in natural product research is reported. The polymer powder imprinted with chlorophyll a was synthesized by copolymerizing the functional and cross-linking monomers, methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), respectively. During batch rebinding experiments, the MIP effectively removed chlorophyll from neat chlorophyll standards, green medicinal plants, and spinach extracts with determined absorbance as high as 2.501 absorbance units (Au) to as low as 0.084 Au after the optimum quantity of the MIP (170 mg mL-1) was added as the adsorbent prior to instrumental analysis. The determined 0.084 Au absorbance was far below the absorbance of 2% chlorophyll (0.401 Au) regarded as the cut-off point for interfering chlorophyll. Thus the newly developed polymer presents itself as a suitable adsorbent for the selective removal of chlorophyll from heavily pigmented, chlorophyll containing extracts.

Original languageEnglish
Article number540240
JournalJournal of Chemistry
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A novel molecularly imprinted polymer for the selective removal of chlorophyll from heavily pigmented green plant extracts prior to instrumental analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this