Molecularly imprinted polymer based on magnetic ionic liquid for solid-phase extraction of phenolic acids

In this study, 1-allyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate ionic liquid was first synthesized. Molecularly imprinted polymer was prepared by suspension polymerization using 1-allyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate as functional monomer and chlorogenic acid as template molecule. The polymer was characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Thermal stability of the polymer was investigated. The solid-phase extraction method based on magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer was developed for gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid. The sample pH, the type and volume of stripping solution, sorbent amount, and extraction time were optimized for phenolic acids. The analysis of phenolic acids after extraction was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Limit of detection, limit of quantification, linear range, correlation coefficient, and reproducibilities of within-day and between-day for phenolic acids were determined. The residues of phenolic acids in apple samples were successfully detected by the developed method. Recovery of standard spiked apple samples was ≥81 for all the phenolic acids.