Development of dual-template molecularly imprinted polymers for the selective extraction of acetamiprid and thiamethoxam

This study presents a novel analytical method based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) synthesized using an eco-friendly β-CD-DES functional monomer. These MIPs were developed for the selective extraction of acetamiprid (ACT) and thiamethoxam (TMX). The adsorption affinity analysis revealed rapid adsorption within 15 min, achieving 73% uptake in the first 5 min, with high adsorption capacities of 27.38 mg/g for ACT and 19.86 mg/g for TMX, and also poses strong selectivity towards both. Extraction parameters were optimized, resulting in high recovery rates in spiked fruit samples analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The determined limits of quantification were 0.01 mg/kg (each), and the limits of detection were 0.002 and 0.005 mg/kg (for both ACT & TMX). The method showed low relative standard deviations (RSDs <5.84%) and high selectivity for both ACT & TMX. Additionally, the MIPs retained recovery efficiency above 90% for four reuse cycles before a sharp decline. This study highlights a simple, reliable, and environmentally sustainable method for trace-level extraction of both ACT & TMX from fruits.