The continuous outbreaks of viral pathogens raise tremendous
challenges
to public health. Early detection of viruses is essential to prevent
and control their associated diseases. Due to the rapid degradation
of viruses in the absence of host organisms, the handling, transport,
and storage of virus samples without refrigeration are extremely challenging.
In this study, we apply bovine serum albumin (BSA)-modified porous
superabsorbent polymer (PSAP) beads for encapsulation and stabilization
of viruses. The shelf life of the enveloped virus Phi6 and nonenveloped
virus MS2 with or without PSAP treatment has been evaluated during
storage at different temperatures. Under the tested conditions, the
PSAP/BSA beads can lower the infectivity reduction rate constant by
up to 35- and 13-folds for Phi6 and MS2, respectively. In addition,
the PSAP/BSA beads can achieve excellent RNA recovery efficiencies
under room-temperature storage for both single-stranded and double-stranded
RNA genome structures, which are comparable to those of refrigeration
storage. This study also elucidates that the immobilization of viruses
on polymer surfaces is a critical stabilization mechanism of the PSAP
treatment. Overall, this low-cost and energy-saving technology eliminates
the temperature regulations for virus sample storage and expands the
utility of large-scale virus surveillance.