Development of smart molecularly imprinted polymers for use in sustainable food nanosensors

In this project we aim to develop core shell imprinted polymers for use in microfluidic based biosensors. By combining the magnetic properties of iron oxide for facile sample preparation, the fluorescent properties of quantum dots as the optical transducer, as well as molecularly imprinted polymers as the receptor, an optical based biosensor will be developed, capable of detecting antibiotic residues in pork products. Iron nanoparticles and CdTe quantum dots were synthesized using standard synthesis protocols. The resultant Fe3O4 nanoparticles were treated with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), and the CdTe quantum dots were then encapsulated. Finally a thin MIP layer was polymerized round the nanoparticles using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as the initiator, ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA) as the crosslinker, acrylamide (AAm) and methacrylic acid (MAA) as the monomers and the antibiotic as the template. By incorporating a microfluidic based platform with the developed smart nanomaterials, a handheld sensor capable of multiplex detection will be developed. It can be used within a food manufacturing environment for the routine screening of pork products and provide a more sustainable replacement for animal derived antibodies.