Enhanced capacities and selectivities for cholesterol in aqueous media by molecular imprinting: role of novel cross-linkers

Molecularly imprinted polymers are being increasingly investigated as selective sorbents. For the recovery of cholesterol from aqueous media, the utility of the molecularly imprinted polymers has been limited by modest capacities and selectivities, especially when compared with alternative adsorbents reported for the binding of bile acids [Macromolecules 34 (2001) 1548]. This paper describes the use of cholesterol conjugated monomers and cross-linkers, which bind to the template cholesterol molecule by hydrophobic interactions. This leads to enhanced capacities and selectivities during the recovery of cholesterol from aqueous media. The templating effect is clearly seen in the enhanced capacity and selectivity in the retention of cholesterol vis-a-vis stigmasterol and testosterone.