SARS-CoV-2 Disinfection of Air and Surface Contamination by TiO 2 Photocatalyst-Mediated Damage to Viral Morphology, RNA, and Protein

SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19, which is a global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted rapidly via contaminated surfaces and aerosols, emphasizing the importance of environmental disinfection to block the spread of virus. Ultraviolet C radiation and chemical compounds are effective for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Viruses 2021-05, Vol.13 (5)
Main Authors: Matsuura, Ryosuke, Lo, Chieh-Wen, Wada, Satoshi, Somei, Junichi, Ochiai, Heihachiro, Murakami, Takeharu, Saito, Norihito, Ogawa, Takayo, Shinjo, Atsushi, Benno, Yoshimi, Nakagawa, Masaru, Takei, Masami, Aida, Yoko
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Line
Chlorocebus aethiops
COVID-19 - metabolism
Disinfection - methods
Humans
Pandemics
RNA, Viral - drug effects
SARS-CoV-2 - drug effects
SARS-CoV-2 - pathogenicity
Titanium - chemistry
Titanium - pharmacology
Vero Cells
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Summary:SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent of COVID-19, which is a global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted rapidly via contaminated surfaces and aerosols, emphasizing the importance of environmental disinfection to block the spread of virus. Ultraviolet C radiation and chemical compounds are effective for SARS-CoV-2 disinfection, but can only be applied in the absence of humans due to their toxicities. Therefore, development of disinfectants that can be applied in working spaces without evacuating people is needed. Here we showed that TiO -mediated photocatalytic reaction inactivates SARS-CoV-2 in a time-dependent manner and decreases its infectivity by 99.9% after 20 min and 120 min of treatment in aerosol and liquid, respectively. The mechanistic effects of TiO photocatalyst on SARS-CoV-2 virion included decreased total observed virion count, increased virion size, and reduced particle surface spike structure, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. Damage to viral proteins and genome was further confirmed by western blotting and RT-qPCR, respectively. The multi-antiviral effects of TiO -mediated photocatalytic reaction implies universal disinfection potential for different infectious agents. Notably, TiO has no adverse effects on human health, and therefore, TiO -induced photocatalytic reaction is suitable for disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging infectious disease-causing agents in human habitation.
ISSN:1999-4915