Biocide Filters Based on Betulin for Cleaning Drinking Water

Resumo

A technology for applying biocidal agents, betulin and silver, in the amount of 1% on the surface of carbon sorbents has been developed. The effect of the plant steroid betulin on the inhibition of E. coli reproduction on the surface of carbon filter sorbents in comparison with silver coating was evaluated. It is shown that graphite sorbents coated with silver and betulin are practically identical in the number of colonies formed and suppress their multiplication by a factor of 6–7. A composition including a carbon sorbent (active coal and/or foamed graphite) and betulin is obtained, which is recommended as a biocidal agent to replace silver in the manufacture of filters for post-treatment of drinking water.