Synthesis and characterization of molecularly imprinted polymer of N-maleoylchitosan-grafted-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and its controlled delivery and recognition of bovine serum albumin

In this study a novel molecularly imprinted polymer matrix, namely protein-imprinted N-maleoylchitosan-grafted-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid polymer (MIP) matrix was prepared by using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a template. The characteristics of the MIP were investigated using FTIR, SEM, XRD and Zeta Potential Analyses. The effects of monomer to template ratio, cross linking density, porogen, pH and ionic strength on the loading of BSA into the MIP were investigated. The adsorption studies showed that the MIP exhibits good recognition for BSA, as compared to non-imprinted polymer (NIP). The experimental adsorption isotherms of BSA onto MIP and NIP were determined and well fitted by Sips model with a maximum binding capacity of 113.51 mg g−1 for MIP and 76.39 mg g−1 for NIP. A pseudo-second-order kinetic model adequately described the kinetic rate in comparison to a pseudo-first-order model. In vitro release profiles of model drug from the MIP were investigated in physiological buffered solution using a UV/vis spectrophotometer. In addition, the drug release mechanism was analyzed by fitting the amount of drug released into Peppa's potential equation.