Synthesis and Optimization of a Molecularly Imprinted Membrane as a Specific Absorbent to Assess the Occupational Exposure to the 5-Fluorouracil Drug

Abstract

Objectives: Over the last decades, antineoplastic drugs have resulted in concerns about health care and pharmacy because of the increased incidence of neoplasm due to occupational exposure. Therefore, there is a need for accurate and valid methods to detect and evaluate the trace amount of these drugs in occupational assessment programs. In this study, for occupational exposure assessment of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), molecularly imprinted membranes (MIMs) were synthesized and optimized as appropriate absorbents for selective determination of trace amount of this antineoplastic drug. Methods: To synthesize MIMs as Specific adsorbent for 5-FU, First, 5-FU molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared by the precipitation polymerization method, and then MIPs encapsulated into PET nanofibers, as the matrix polymer, by electrospinning. Finally, MIMs were fabricated from collection nanofibers. Optimization of electrospinning parameters (e.g., MIP amount, tip needle to the collector, electrospinning voltage and flow rate) was performed by the Central Composite Design (CCD) method using the experimental design software. The diameter of the fiber was analyzed using image analysis software. The applicability of the synthesized membranes for absorbing 5-FU drug was evaluated for assessing occupational exposure to the drug of interest. Results: In this study, MIP particles were successfully encapsulated into PET nanofibers. The optimization process showed that the molecularly imprinted nanofibers diameter of 276.38[Formula: see text]nm could be obtained in 57.4%[Formula: see text]w, 13.9[Formula: see text]cm, 25[Formula: see text]KV and 0.55[Formula: see text]ml/h. The extraction efficacy of 5-FU drugs by synthesized membranes was [Formula: see text]. Conclusion: The optimized MIMs presented in this study can be used as a specific absorbent for occupational and environmental monitoring of the 5-FU drug.