title: Affinity sensor based on immobilized molecular imprinted synthetic recognition elements.
abstract: An affinity sensor based on capacitive transduction was developed to detect a model compound, metergoline, in a continuous flow system. This system simulates the monitoring of low-molecular weight organic compounds in natural flowing waters, i.e. rivers and streams. During operation in such scenarios, control of the experimental parameters is not possible, which poses a true analytical challenge. A two-step approach was used to produce a sensor for metergoline. Submicron spherical molecularly imprinted polymers, used as recognition elements, were obtained through emulsion polymerization and subsequently coupled to the sensor surface by electropolymerization. This way, a robust and reusable sensor was obtained that regenerated spontaneously under the natural conditions in a river. Small organic compounds could be analyzed in water without manipulating the binding or regeneration conditions, thereby offering a viable tool for on-site application.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Food Analysis, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: pieterjan.lenain@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Pieterjan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lenain
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Food Analysis, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Saeger
authors.affiliation: Capsenze HB, Medicon Village, SE-22381 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mattiasson
authors.affiliation: Capsenze HB, Medicon Village, SE-22381 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hedström
mesh_terms: D025802:Electric Capacitance; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008711:Metergoline / Q000032:analysis*; D054802:Molecular Imprinting / Q000379:methods*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014159:Transducers; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; D008711:Metergoline
keywords: Analytical methods; Capacitive affinity sensor; Metergoline; Molecularly imprinted polymer; Monitoring; sensors