Molecular imprinting using biopolymers as building Blocks: Sustainable and biocompatible metamaterials for smart recognition and selective biointerfaces

The present review provides a comprehensive analysis of the development and application of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) derived from natural biopolymers, covering literature from the early 1980s onward. The discussion is organized based on the chemical nature of the biopolymers utilized, covering glucans, chitosan, alginates, proteins, and nucleic acids. Each section offers a description of the respective biopolymer, reports synthetic approaches and applications, and attempt a critical evaluation of its effectiveness in molecular imprinting. The use of biopolymers in MIP technology is a promising approach for producing highly selective and sustainable recognition systems. The review underscores the potential of biopolymer-based MIPs in advancing molecular imprinting technology and their impactful contributions to future applications.