Not in any practical sense yet. A 2014 laboratory study showed that hollow microtubes made mainly from human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant protein in blood plasma, could trap Escherichia coli bacteria inside their pores. A version containing magnetite could also be pulled out of the liquid with a magnet. That is a demonstration of a bacterial-capture method under controlled lab conditions. It is not a water purifier that has been validated on drinking water, certified, or sold.
What the 2014 study actually made
The work was published in Chemical Communications in 2014 by S. Yuge, M. Akiyama, and T. Komatsu, under the title “An Escherichia coli trap in human serum albumin microtubes.” The authors describe a template synthesis method for HSA microtubes and report that E. coli could be loaded into the one-dimensional pore space inside the tubes.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
A contemporaneous account of the work, reproduced by Scientific American from a Chemistry World report, explains how the tubes were built:
- Alternating layers of human serum albumin and poly-L-arginine were deposited onto a polycarbonate template.
- The template was dissolved away, leaving hollow tubes.
- The resulting microtubes were then exposed to bacteria-containing solution, where the bacteria were captured inside the tube interiors.
The tubes are therefore a bio-derived material shaped by a sacrificial template, not a protein that acts on its own. Protein chemistry and tube geometry both matter to the result.
#1 Best Overall
- CLEAN WATER ANYWHERE: Our water filter straws solve the real challenge of being on the move, finding water is rarely the problem, finding water that's safe to drink is. Each filter removes over 99.99% of waterborne bacteria and parasites so you stay properly hydrated and in the best shape possible
- LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE: Our filters weigh only 2 oz and measure 8 inches long, so you can take them with you anywhere. Be prepared when camping, hiking, enjoying the outdoors, or when facing unexpected situations such as natural disasters, accidents, or just about anything
- HIGH LEVEL FILTRATION: Each of the 5 filters removes over 99.99% of waterborne bacteria (such as E. coli and Legionella) and over 99.99% of waterborne parasites (such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium), including the smallest microplastics found in the environment, down to 0.1 micron
- LASTS UP TO 10 YEARS: Each filter reaches up to 1800 gallons, providing up to 10 years of drinking water for the average person. Built BPA-free, FDA-compliant, manufactured under rigorous quality control standards and tested regularly for performance, individually sealed with its own backflushing plunger
- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Keep this lightweight filter when backpacking, fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, or exploring the wilderness. Perfect for power outages, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and storms. Keep a set in your car or bugout bag, so you're always prepared wherever life takes you
Why the tubes captured E. coli
According to the same account, capture depends on two things: E. coli’s binding affinity for albumin, and the geometry of the tube interior. The bacteria are drawn into the narrow pore space and held there. The primary paper describes this as E. coli trapping “with extremely high efficiency,” a phrase that refers to the tubes’ capture capability, not to a measured water-treatment standard.
The magnetic variant
The study also describes microtubes containing magnetite (Fe3O4). Once bacteria were captured, these magnetically responsive tubes could be manipulated with an external magnetic field and collected from the solution. This is the only part of the work that addresses separating the material from the water afterward, and it was demonstrated only for the magnetic formulation.
Rank #2
- Removes Bacteria & Parasites: The Microfiltration Membrane Removes 99.999999% of Waterborne Bacteria (Including E. Coli and Salmonella), and 99.999% of Waterborne Parasites (Including Giardia and Cryptosporidium) - Essential for Your Survival Kit
- Removes Microplastics: Removes the Smallest Microplastics Found in the Environment (Down to 1 Micron), and Reduces Turbidity Down to 0.2 Microns - Ideal for Hiking and Camping Essentials
- Rigorous Testing: All Claims Are Verified with Laboratories Using Standard Testing Protocols Set by the US EPA, NSF, ASTM for Water Purifiers
- Long Lifetime: The Microbiological Purification System Will Provide 4,000 Liters (1,000 Gallons) of Clean and Safe Drinking Water - a Must-Have for Your Bug Out Bag
- Make an Impact: For Every LifeStraw Product Purchased, a School Child in Need Receives Safe Drinking Water for an Entire School Year. Essential Camping Accessory Made With BPA Free Materials
The removal figure, and where it comes from
Most popular summaries quote one number: the reported experiment used 1.5 micrograms of microtubes per liter of contaminated water containing 100,000 bacteria, and removal was almost 100%. That figure comes from the 2014 Scientific American report of the Chemistry World account, not from the primary paper’s abstract, which confirms high-efficiency E. coli trapping but does not state this water-sample statistic. The table below separates what each source establishes.
| Claim | Source (2014) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| E. coli trapped with “extremely high efficiency” | Primary paper abstract, Chemical Communications | Capture capability of HSA microtubes in the reported experiments |
| 1.5 µg of microtubes per liter, 100,000 bacteria, almost 100% removal | Scientific American reproduction of Chemistry World report | One reported laboratory setup with E. coli only; not a product rating |
| Magnetic collection of Fe3O4-containing tubes | Primary paper abstract | Separation of the magnetic variant from solution |
| Performance against other microbes, chemicals, or real water | Not stated in these sources | No evidence reported in the 2014 coverage |
What the authors and outside experts said
Teruyuki Komatsu, the corresponding author, was quoted as saying: “Because the microtubes are made mainly from human protein, they are safe for medical use.” That remark concerns the medical context the authors had in mind. It does not show that water treated in the experiment is safe to drink.
Rank #3
- Drink Anywhere, Certified by Science - This survival-grade straw filter meets strict NSF/ANSI 42, 372, 401 standards (Test Report: NBF21-004693-01). It instantly removes 99.9999% of total coliforms (including E. coli and other representative organisms). It’s designed for extreme reliability during hiking, camping, international travel, or emergency preparedness—proven by science, trusted by adventurers.
- Triple NSF Certified for Complete Reliability & Superior Taste - Breathe easy with every sip. Our straw is independently certified to NSF/42 (for chlorine & taste improvement), NSF/372 (lead-free materials), and NSF/401 (reducing microplastics and particulate). This triple verification guarantees you get the best-tasting water while keeping metals, microplastics and particulate at bay.
- Portable & Long Life-Span - This straw filtration at only 7.1'' long and 1" in diameter fits any 28mm threaded bottle, cup, or glass. It weighs just 2 ounces and fits in the palm of your hand, pocket, gym bag, backpack, survival pack or purse. Both ends of the Upgrade water filter straw are removable for extend Longer Lifespan ensuring it provides up to 1,320 gallons (5,000 liters) of drinking water. Don't miss this opportunity to drink water conveniently wherever you go.
- 5-Stage Filtration - Our Upgrade 5-Stage Filtration System includes a coarse filter screen, double layer pp cotton fiber, coconut shell activated carbon and hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes. Flexible use of threaded water inlet cap to easy backflush. (IT DOES NOT LOWER TDS VALUE, ensuring water's essential mineral balance remains untouched.)
- 0.1 Micron Pore Size & Balanced Flow Rate - This water filter straw features a 0.1 micron pore size, designed to help improve filtration precision. It delivers a flow rate of up to 16.9 fl oz/min (500 ml/min) for a balance between filtration performance and drinking speed, making it suitable for outdoor, travel, and emergency use.
Katsuhiko Ariga, a molecular-recognition expert who was not involved in the work, called it “a nice step in bridging materials science and the living world, towards the development of environmentally-clean technology.” That is a positive scientific reaction to the approach, not an independent test of environmental performance or commercial readiness.
What the study does not establish
- Drinking-water quality. The 2014 reports do not say the treated water met any drinking-water standard.
- Other contaminants. Only E. coli is named as the demonstrated target. Viruses, other bacteria, parasites, and dissolved chemicals are not covered.
- Real-world water. The reported experiment used a controlled laboratory sample. Performance in turbid, mixed, or variable water is not established.
- Scale and operation. Nothing in the coverage addresses household devices, municipal treatment, cost, or throughput.
- Current availability. The 2014 sources do not establish that any HSA-microtube water product is on sale, certified, or in use. Anyone promoting such a product would need to supply that evidence separately.
How to judge future claims about protein-based water treatment
Because this is a materials research result rather than a consumer product, a claim about protein-based water cleaning should be checked against a short list of questions:
Rank #4
- CLEAN WATER ANYWHERE: Our water filter straws solve the real challenge of being on the move, finding water is rarely the problem, finding water that's safe to drink is. Each filter removes over 99.99% of waterborne bacteria and parasites so you stay properly hydrated and in the best shape possible
- LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE: Our filters weigh only 2 oz and measure 8 inches long, so you can take them with you anywhere. Be prepared when camping, hiking, enjoying the outdoors, or when facing unexpected situations such as natural disasters, accidents, or just about anything
- HIGH LEVEL FILTRATION: Each of the 2 filters removes over 99.99% of waterborne bacteria (such as E. coli and Legionella) and over 99.99% of waterborne parasites (such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium), including the smallest microplastics found in the environment, down to 0.1 micron
- LASTS UP TO 10 YEARS: Each filter reaches up to 1800 gallons, providing up to 10 years of drinking water for the average person. Built BPA-free, FDA-compliant, manufactured under rigorous quality control standards and tested regularly for performance, individually sealed with its own backflushing plunger
- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: Keep this lightweight filter when backpacking, fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, or exploring the wilderness. Perfect for power outages, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and storms. Keep a set in your car or bugout bag, so you're always prepared wherever life takes you
- Which organisms were tested, and do they include the pathogens you care about?
- Was the water a controlled sample or actual drinking water, and was it tested before and after treatment?
- Was treated water measured against a named standard, and by whom?
- Is there a certification or regulatory approval for the specific product, not just the underlying material?
- Does the claim include the magnetic separation step, and if so, how the tubes are removed and handled afterward?
Until those questions are answered for a specific product, the 2014 work is best read as evidence that albumin-based microtubes can capture E. coli in the lab, and nothing more.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Removes Bacteria & Parasites: The Microfiltration Membrane Removes 99.999999% Of Waterborne Bacteria (Including E. Coli And Salmonella), And 99.999% Of Waterborne Parasites (Including Giardia And Cryptosporidium)
- Removes Microplastics: Removes The Smallest Microplastics Found In The Environment (Down To 1 Micron), And Reduces Turbidity Down To 0.2 Microns
- Rigorous Testing: All Claims Are Verified With Laboratories Using Standard Testing Protocols Set By The Us Epa, Nsf, Astm For Water Purifiers
- Long Lifetime: The Microbiological Filter Will Provide 4,000 Liters (1,000 Gallons) Of Clean And Safe Drinking Water With Proper Use And Maintenance
- Make An Impact: For Every Lifestraw Product Purchased, A School Child In Need Receives Safe Drinking Water For An Entire School Year
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
