Pickering Emulsion Polymerization of Polystyrene to Synthesize Bacteria Imprinted Polymer Beads for Pre-Concentration

E. coli is a fecal indicator that is useful to predict sanitary risk in water. Therefore, it is of interest to establish systems which are capable to monitor its concentration at realistic conditions. One possibility is to use molecularly imprinted polymers providing a selective surface binding attachment of E. coli. Bacteria imprinted polymer beads were synthesized via Pickering emulsion polymerization. In this process, E. coli served as a stabilizer to form a stable emulsion during radical initiated polymerization of styrene and DVB. Scanning electron microscopy revealed polymer beads before washing contain E. coli on their surfaces. After washing, imprints in the shape of E. coli are visible on the surface. Those beads are inherently useful for rebinding and thus selective filtration and pre-concentration of E.coli prior to sensing.