Synthesis of molecularly imprinted polypyrrole as an adsorbent for solid-phase extraction of warfarin from human plasma and urine

The aim of this work was to develop a method for the clean-up and preconcentration of warfarin from biological sample employing a new molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as a selective adsorbent for solid-phase extraction (SPE). This MIP was synthesized using warfarin as a template, pyrrole as a functional monomer and vinyl triethoxysilane as a cross-linker. The molar ratio of 1:4:20 (template–functional monomer–cross-linker) showed the best results. Nonimprinted polymers (NIPs) were prepared and treated with the same method, but in the absence of warfarin. The prepared polymer was characterized by Fourier transmission infrared spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. An adsorption process (SPE) for the removal of warfarin using the fabricated MIPs and NIPs was evaluated under various conditions. Effective parameters on warfarin extraction, for example, type and volume of elution solvent, pH of sample solution, breakthrough volume and maximum loading capacity, were studied. The limits of detection were in the range of 0.0035–0.0050 µg mL−1. Linearity of the method was determined in the range of 0.0165–10.0000 µg mL−1 for plasma and 0.0115–10.0000 µg mL−1 for urine with coefficients of determination (R2) ranging from 0.9975 to 0.9985. The recoveries for plasma and urine samples were >95%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.