Enantioselective Permeation of Racemic Glutamic Acid through Alternative Molecularly Imprinted Cellulose Acetate Membranes

Abstract

Molecularly imprinted polymeric membranes were prepared from cellulose acetate (CA), which acetyl content was 40%, by applying the alternative molecular imprinting technique. The Boc-L-Glu imprinted polymeric membranes thus obtained recognized L-Glu in preference to D-Glu from racemic Glu mixtures. Enantioselective electrodialysis was attained with the present membranes, and L-Glu was preferentially permeated, reflecting their adsorption selectivity. The present study suggests that the molecularly imprinted CA membranes are applicable to the optical resolution of racemic amino acids.