A rapid strategy to enrich high-purity sciadonic acid from Torreya grandis kernel oil using silver ion-loaded molecular imprinted polymers

Sciadonic acid (SA, Δ5,11,14–20:3) is an unusual fatty acid found in Torreya grandis kernel oil with significant health benefits and functional value. However, obtaining high-purity SA from crude oil remains a challenge. In this study, we developed an efficient, eco-friendly, and selective method for SA enrichment using silver ion (Ag + )-loaded molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). Methacrylic acid (MAA) was selected as the functional monomer, with SA as the template molecule and AgNO 3 as the complexing agent. The polymerization was carried out using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)-modified Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 . Furthermore, adsorption studies revealed that the process followed the Langmuir isotherm model, while the adsorption kinetics were best described by the Pseudo-second-order model, with a maximum binding capacity of 97.04 mg/g. Then, Optimization experiments showed that the highest adsorption efficiency (84.62 %) was achieved using 20 mg of MIPs at 30 °C for 30 min. Desorption was most effective with n-hexane/acetic acid (9:1, v/v) for 8 h, yielding a desorption efficiency of 70.65 %. As a result, the final SA purity reached 93.11 %, with a recovery rate of 65.03 %. This novel Ag + -loaded MIPs strategy provides a rapid, selective, and environmentally friendly approach for SA enrichment, demonstrating the great potential for industrial application.