Application of molecularly imprinted hydrogel for the preparation of lactose-free milk.
BACKGROUND
A variety of lactose imprinted hydrogels were prepared and their binding properties were studied in comparison with blank non-imprinted hydrogel. Methacrylamide and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate were used as functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively. Dimethylsulfoxide was also applied as polymerisation solvent.


RESULTS
Different template/monomer ratios were studied and the optimised imprinted hydrogel (MIP₂), with a lactose/methacrylamide ratio of 1:8, was selected in a rebinding test. In Scatchard analysis of MIP₂-lactose interactions, the dissociation constant and maximum binding sites were 0.33 mmol L⁻¹ and 67.76 µmol g⁻¹ hydrogel, respectively. The selectivity of MIP₂ for lactose in aqueous media was also evaluated in comparison with different mono- and disaccharides. The data showed that the affinity of MIP₂ for lactose is significantly higher than other saccharides. The imprinted hydrogel was finally used as a sorbent for separation of lactose from milk.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that MIP₂, as an optimised imprinted hydrogel, can effectively bind lactose and decrease its concentration in milk.
Biotechnology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Farzin
F
Hadizadeh
Maryam Hassanpour
MH
Moghadam
Seyed Ahmad
SA
Mohajeri
D000178:Acrylamides; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000737:chemistry; D005524:Food Technology; D019648:Foods, Specialized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D020100:Hydrogels; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D007492:Iran; D007700:Kinetics; D007785:Lactose / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D054802:Molecular Imprinting; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
D000178:Acrylamides; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D020100:Hydrogels; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008689:Methacrylates; D012997:Solvents; C004919:ethylene dimethacrylate; D007785:Lactose; C045985:methacrylamide; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide