A methacrylic acid-based molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was evaluated for physical and isothermal adsorption properties. Polymers were synthesized by suspension polymerization with (MIP) or without (NIP) ergotamine tartrate (ETA) as template. Polymer morphology was characterized by light scattering diffraction, SEM and BET. Polymer-template interactions were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR and isotherms. For each of 4 alkaloids evaluated, adsorption difference between MIP and NIP interacted (P < 0.01) with alkaloid concentration, but product differences were generally consistent across concentrations. With bromocryptine and methylergonovine, average adsorption was greater (P < 0.01) for MIP than NIP (62.9 vs 37.1 and 35.8 vs 24.7%, respectively). NIP adsorption was greater (P < 0.01) for ETA (93.1 vs 96.7%), and no difference (P > 0.05) existed between products for lysergol adsorption (38.1 vs 37.7). The Freundlich model (R2 = 0.99) indicated similar adsorption intensity to ETA for MIP (n~1.025) and NIP (n~1.011) and the Qmax estimate from the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.99) was 388.7 and 435.4 nM/mg for MIP and NIP, respectively. Both polymers had IR spectra at ~3500 (carboxyl stretch), ~1730 (carbonyl stretch), and ~1260 cm-1 (C-O stretch) indicating similarities in backbone structure. Spectral shifts observed in polymer-ETA complex samples suggest the interaction with amine groups was via H-bonding, which was confirmed using ¹H NMR. SEM demonstrated compactness of implanted polymer, which, after template removal turned microporous with microvoids. BET analysis showed NIPs to have a smooth surface with few pore structures, whereas MIPs exhibited greater surface area and porosity; implying that MIPs have a larger surface for adsorption. Light scattering diffraction suggests bimodal particle size distribution for both polymers with larger percentage in 30–80 µm range. These imprinted polymers could be utilized as SPE material, or for extraction of ergot alkaloids from complex materials. Furthermore, the described MIP is a candidate for application as a feed adsorbent to reduce bioavailability of certain alkaloid compounds in the gut.