A Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Porous Silicon Optical Sensor for Quercetin Detection in Wines

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c21238
• Publication Date: 2025-02-11T18:31:51Z
• Authors: Tiziano Di Giulio; Ibrar Muhammad Asif; Martina Corsi; Soumya Rajpal; Boris Mizaikoff; Nicoletta Ditaranto; Giuseppe E. De Be...; Cosimino Malitesta; Giuseppe Barillaro; Elisabetta Mazzotta
• Keywords: Molecularly imprinted polymer; Porous Silicon; Molecular imprinting

Quercetin (QU), a bioactive flavonoid with significant nutritional and antioxidant properties, plays vital role in the quality stability of wine. This study presents development molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based optical sensor for selective sensitive detection quercetin red white wines. The combines molecular recognition capabilities MIPs properties nanostructured porous silica (PSiO2) scaffolds, which serve as transducer. MIP synthesis was achieved through novel room-temperature vapor-phase polymerization method using pyrrole functional monomer. Computational simulations were used to optimize interactions QU at level, explore binding resulting polypyrrole (PPy) matrix. Comprehensive characterization including UV–vis reflectance spectroscopy advanced surface analyses confirmed successful formation. exhibited high sensitivity dual linear response range (2.5–80 μM 80–200 μM), limit 0.7 μM. Selectivity tests against structurally similar flavonoids antioxidants demonstrated significantly higher quercetin, an imprinting factor 3.6. validated real wine samples, demonstrating ability detect without prior sample preparation. Results showed strong agreement high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), confirming reliability. Additionally, excellent reusability minimal signal variation (RSD = 2.6%) good over 60 days 3%). work highlights potential MIP-based sensors real-time monitoring compounds complex food matrices, such wine, offering robust cost-effective alternative control applications.