Agri‐Food Extracts Effectiveness in Improving Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties of Face Masks: A Proof‐of‐Concept Study

Abstract

The European dependencies for raw materials supply from foreign countries have been unquestionably shown by COVID‐19 outbreak and have become particular evident from the slow response to the need for high quality personal protective equipment (PPEs). Among all medical devices, surgical face masks have earned themselves a primary role for the containment of the epidemic. In this context, our work aims at improving the barrier effect of surgical mask by depositing on their external surface a mixture of bioactive compounds, mainly polyphenols, extracted from agronomical sources. The main objective is the integration of the biorefining of agri‐food solid wastes with the potential virucidal properties of the polyphenolic extracts for the treatment of PPEs.

Protective Face Masks: Current Status and Future Trends

“…natural compounds [125][126][127][128][129][130], and biodegradable compounds [54,103]. Moreover, BAK treatment supplies filters not only with antiviral properties but also with antibacterial activity [106].…”

“…According to all these discoveries and the necessity of prevention in the COVID-19 issue, Chowdhury's group decided to create this novel face mask (see Figure 11) to avoid the spread of the virus [129]. Passaglia's group reported an innovative manner to improve the blocking effect of surgical masks [130]. Their discovery consisted of a combination of bioactive composites, principally polyphenols, obtained from agronomical origins, which are accumulated in the external surface of the surgical mask and provide it with virucidal properties [130].…”

“…Passaglia's group reported an innovative manner to improve the blocking effect of surgical masks [130]. Their discovery consisted of a combination of bioactive composites, principally polyphenols, obtained from agronomical origins, which are accumulated in the external surface of the surgical mask and provide it with virucidal properties [130].…”

“…This group hypothesizes that the cooperation of polyphenols with the beta structures of protein S of SARS-CoV-2 could lead to structural modifications that could forestall the offensive of the virus into the host cell [130]. Furthermore, many applications of polyphenols for treating of materials to confer antiviral properties were described before [125].…”

“…Furthermore, many applications of polyphenols for treating of materials to confer antiviral properties were described before [125]. For this reason, these authors thought that operation of these polyphenolic compounds on the outer layer of medical equipment, such as surgical masks, was expected to provide them with antimicrobial properties by inactivating virions and reducing the possibility of causing cross-contamination [130]. In addition, this group confirmed the antiviral function of these natural composites that can be used in order to enhance the barrier effect of surgical masks [130].…”