Molecularly imprinted polymers--tyrosinase mimics.

Synthetic polymers mimicking the enzyme tyrosinase have been prepared by the molecular imprinting of a complex between Cu (II) and catechol and ethyl ester of urocanic acid in an ethylene glycol dimethacrylate copolymer. Optimised polymer systems demonstrated catalysis, Michaelis-Menten kinetics and competitive inhibition similar to those of mushroom tyrosinase. The polymers benefited from superior chemical and mechanical stability in comparison with natural enzyme.