Cold Plasma, a New Hope in the Field of Virus Inactivation

Abstract

Journal Pre-proof J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f 2 Abstract Viruses can infect all cell-based organisms, from bacteria to humans, animals, and plants. They are responsible for numerous cases of hospitalization, many deaths, and widespread crop destruction, which all result in an enormous medical, economical, and biological burden. Each of the currently used decontamination methods have important drawbacks. Cold plasma has entered this field as a novel, efficient, and clean solution for virus inactivation. Here, we present the recent developments in this promising field of cold-plasma-mediated virus inactivation, and describe the applications and mechanisms of the inactivation. This is a particularly relevant subject as viral pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, expose the need for alternative viral inactivation methods to replace, complement or upgrade existing ones. Journal Pre-proof J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f 3

Comprehensive biomedical applications of low temperature plasmas

“…The main agreement among the different studies up to the present time is that the ROS and/or RNS production is the main attribute of LTP, which affects viral inactivation, while UV radiation and temperature changes continue as minor contributors or have no effect whatsoever [73]. Studies on how LTP affects viruses are unique, considering that the specific plasma sources for each study are different (for example, dielectric barrier discharge, plasma μjet), with different characteristics (i.e.…”

“…When in the host cells, the viral genome takes control of the replication process. Consequently, these two factors are the most significant ones for the assessment of virus inactivation [73].…”

“…RSV is the most common causal agent of lower respiratory tract infections in infants, being one of the most significant viruses in pediatric patients, mainly because it proliferates simply through contact with contaminated surfaces [76]. Even if 5 min LTP application totally inactivated RSV on et al, glass [75], a portable and more convenient plasma arrangement would be desirable for effective disinfection of, for example, hospital surfaces, whereas the high-voltage plasma devices would be applied only for small objects and tools disinfection (Filipić et al, 2020). Some respiratory viruses are also known to persist stably as aerosols for extended intervals of time, including SARS-CoV-2, and with the aim of diminishing their spread, it is essential to decontaminate the air, in addition to the surface areas [73].…”

Cold atmospheric plasma inactivation of aerosolized microdroplets containing bacteria and purified SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA to contrast airborne indoor transmission

“…[ 20,21 ] CAPs generate many reactive oxygen and nitrogen species as O 3 , NO, NO 2 , N 2 O 5 , HNO 2 , HNO 3 , ONOO − , H 2 O 2 , , and many other reactive species, that can react with the airborne particles and mediate various oxidative processes. [ 22–25 ] Due to the associated electric field, nonthermal plasmas (NTPs) can alter particle transport by inducing a negative charge on the particles, thus imparting charge‐driven filtration as well as trapping of these particles. In this way, plasma can simultaneously act as a particle filter as well as a disinfection technology.…”

Deposition of Cell Culture Coatings Using a Cold Plasma Deposition Method

“…Cold atmospheric plasma systems offer a number of advantages including in line manufacturing capability, rapid treatment, flexible scaling, and low maintenance requirements and these systems are compatible with a range of different polymer substrates [5,6]. In biological applications, the use of a nonthermal plasma can also allow the disinfection of surfaces without chemical additives or high temperatures [7][8][9]. The use of low temperature vacuum plasma devices to deposit carbonyl, carboxyl, and amine functionalities onto nonreactive hydrophobic surfaces is now a well-established industrial practice and underpins the biocompatibility of disposable plastic plates, flasks, and bottles of the cell culture market [1,10].…”