Tea polyphenol/ Pluronic F127 complex for bacterial polluted water purification

Removal of bacteria from biological contaminated water is of great importance to the control of waterborne diseases. Herein, a simple and green method to purify bacterial infectant water was developed using two food supplements. Tea polyphenol (TP)/F127 complex was proved to remove nearly all bacteria from contaminated water by centrifugation. Without facilities, gravity sedimentation could isolate most of bacteria with high efficiency. The hydrogen bonds induced the formation of oleaginous precipitation composed of TP, F127, and bacterial cells with hydrophilic interior to encapsulate bacteria and hydrophobic surface against bacteria leaking out. The good biosafety of sedimentation agents, easy operation and common facilities implied this method could be used as a convenient approach to water purify, especially in the wilds and developing countries.