Effectiveness of Disinfectants Suitable for Inactivating SARS-CoV-2 at Cold-Chain Temperature

Abstract

To prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in cold-chain transportation in China, we developed specific cryogenic disinfectants. Carrier tests were performed against SARS-CoV-2 at − 20 °C for the four cryogenic disinfectants developed and qRT-PCR was used to test the virus RNA. Peracetic acid, chlorine disinfectants (two different concentrations), and quaternary ammonium disinfectant with their antifreeze can all inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in 5 min at − 20 °C. However, after 2–3 h of exposure, only chlorine disinfectant could destroy SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The viruses treated with peracetic acid and quaternary disinfectants showed positive Ct values even after 3 h detected with qRT-PCR. The conclusion was that the cold-chain disinfectants we tested could inactivate SARS-CoV-2 quickly and effectively, but only chlorine disinfectants could destroy nucleic acids in 3 h. Our study also illustrated that using qRT-PCR detection of viral nucleic acids to assess disinfection was inappropriate. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12560-022-09509-0.

Bacteria and Virus Inactivation: Relative Efficacy and Mechanisms of Peroxyacids and Chlor(am)ine

“…Moreover, we anticipate the POA-inactivated viruses to remain detectable by RT-qPCR methods, which has already been reported for surface disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 by PAA. 68 Contrary to POAs, free chlorine led to a significant genome loss with normalized rate constants (k normalized , eqs 1 and 2) at 4.55 and 0.35 L•mg −1 •s −1 •base −1 , for MS2 and Φ6, respectively, which are comparable with previous publications (Figure 5c). 36,39,69,70 The k normalized for the enveloped Φ6 was significantly lower than that of the nonenveloped MS2, which could be ascribed to the stability of dsRNA relative to ssRNA, or the shielding effect of the glycerophospholipid envelope.…”

Stability of SARS-CoV-2 in cold-chain transportation environments and the efficacy of disinfection measures

“…The residue of commonly used disinfectants will have a certain impact on food or people ( Choi et al., 2018 ; Wu et al., 2022 ), and it is difficult to ensure safety when applied to cold-chain disinfection. Researchers have indicated that UV light, sunlight, 405 nm visible light, and 400 nm-to-420 nm standard LED light effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2 at 20°C ( Heilingloh et al., 2020 ; Ratnesar-Shumate et al., 2020 ; Rathnasinghe et al., 2021 ).…”

“…At present, the method commonly used to disinfect the surface of items is ultraviolet (UV) radiation or sprayed disinfectant containing sodium hypochlorite, peroxyacetic acid, or benzalkonium chlorides. Common disinfectants, including sodium hypochlorite and peroxyacetic acid, can be easily frozen after being sprayed under the cold-chain environment, resulting in a sharp decline in disinfection efficacy ( Wu et al., 2022 ). In addition, a study indicated that the residual disinfectant may also be potentially harmful to personnel in subsequent contact ( Choi et al., 2018 ; Li et al., 2020 ).…”

Routes of Transmission of SARS CoV-2 through Aquatic Environment in Developing Countries

“…Peracetic acid (blended with ethanol), chlorine disinfectant (trichloroisocyanuric acid, blended with ethylene glycol) with two concentrations, and quaternary ammonium salt (DNC, blended with ethanol) can inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on the cold chain's surface. The RNA of SARS-CoV-2 remained detectable in 2-3 h disinfection, even if disinfectants fully inactivated the virus in 5 min (Wu et al, 2022). Gautret and coworkers (2020) suggested that public spitting in China may have played a significant role in encouraging the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.…”