Highly Effective Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by Conjugated Polymers and Oligomers

Abstract

In the present study, we examined the inactivation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by synthetic conjugated polymers and oligomers developed in our laboratories as antimicrobials for bacteria, fungi, and nonenveloped viruses. The results show highly effective light-induced inactivation with several of these oligomers and polymers including irradiation with near-UV and visible light. In the best case, one oligomer induced a 5-log reduction in pfu/mL within 10 min. In general, the oligomers are more active than the polymers; however, the polymers are active with longer wavelength visible irradiation. Although not studied quantitatively, the results show that in the presence of the agents at concentrations similar to those used in the light studies, there is essentially no dark inactivation of the virus. Because three of the five materials/compounds examined are quaternary ammonium derivatives, this study indicates that conventional quaternary ammonium antimicrobials may not be active against SARS-CoV-2. Our results suggest several applications involving the incorporation of these materials in wipes, sprays, masks, and clothing and other personal protection equipment that can be useful in preventing infections and the spreading of this deadly virus and future outbreaks from similar viruses.

Antimicrobial Polymer−Based Assemblies: A Review

“…Furthermore, no dark inactivation of the virus for three of the five materials/compounds occurred for the quaternary ammonium derivatives. Therefore, the generation of reactive oxygen species definitely inactivated the virus; the incorporation of these materials in wipes, sprays, masks, and clothing and other personal protection equipment would possibly be useful in preventing infections and the spreading of the virus and future outbreaks from similar viruses [ 193 ]. A more recent report on the development of a non−woven face mask filter fabricated with a coating of benzalkonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium compound, was able to inactivate more than 99% of SARS−CoV−2 particles in one minute of contact and also methicillin−resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis ; this would solve the pressing problem of commercial face masks that contained filters not capable of inactivating either SARS−CoV−2 or multidrug−resistant bacteria [ 194 ].…”

A Portrait of the OPE as a Biological Agent

“…Very recently, Whitten’s research group [ 67 ] tested negatively and positively charged OPEs 19a,b and 23d against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the respiratory illness responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that is highly contagious in humans.…”

New Approach in the Application of Conjugated Polymers: The Light-Activated Source of Versatile Singlet Oxygen Molecule

“…In both cases, the presence of the cationic units allows for the electrostatic interactions of the CPs with the fungal cell wall, as in the case of bacteria, which in turn enhances the diffusion of ROS into the cell membrane. Finally, the latest work of Monge et al has shown that the phenylene ethynylene-based conjugated oligomers/polymers can be effectively applied against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with the reduction in the virus of up to 5-log within 5 min [ 91 ].…”