Application of molecularly imprinted hydrogel for the preparation of lactose-free milk
Farzin Hadizadeh, Aramsadat Meraji, Maryam Hassanpour Moghadam, Seyed Ahmad Mohajeri
Abstract
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.