Removal of bacteria from water by systems based on insoluble polystyrene–polyethyelnimine

A study was made of the removal of viable bacterial cells from sterilized physiological saline (saline) by insoluble polymer beads. The polymers (CMPS–PEI300 and CMPS–PEI600) were prepared by reactions of chloromethylated, divinylbenzene crosslinked polystyrene (CMPS) beads with polyethyleneimines (PEI) (MW = about 300 and 600). The bacterial strain cells used were Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Decrease coefficients (D, which corresponds to adsorption rate constant) for the viable cell numbers of E. coli by CPMS–PEI300 and CMPS–PEI600 were 28 and 120 (mL/gh) in saline, respectively. These D's were less than those (72 and 270 mL/gh) in sterilized, distilled, and deionized water (sterilized water). The D's for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa by CMPS–PEI600 were 46 and 76 (mL/g h), respectively. The D for E. coli by CMPS–PEI600 was compared with R (removal coefficient) for that by pyridinium type polymers. Bactericidal activity of PEI600 was examined on E. coli and P. aeruginosa in saline. Also, that of poly(ethylene glycol) 600 was done on E. coli in saline.