Ozone: A Potential Oxidant for COVID-19 Virus (SARS-CoV-2)

Abstract

Currently, no medicine has demonstrated efficacy in treating the ongoing pandemic COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. Being a potent oxidant, ozone is lethal against most bacteria and viruses found in water, or on surfaces and aerosols. Ozone has also been successfully used to treat several viral diseases such as Ebola and HIV Hepatitis B and C. Using molecular modeling, this study evaluated the reactivity of ozone toward representative key molecules in the structure of SARS-CoV-2. The results show that ozone is able to attack the proteins and lipids of the virus's spikes and envelope, particularly the amino acids tryptophan, methionine and cysteine, and the fatty acids, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid. Ozone also attacks the N-glycopeptides of the spike protein subunits 1 and 2, though at lower reactivity. Disruption of the structure of SARS-CoV-2 could inactivate the virus, suggesting that ozone could be an effective oxidant against COVID-19 virus. If incorrectly applied, ozone is toxic and contact with the respiratory tract must be avoided.

SARS-CoV-2 viability on different surfaces after gaseous ozone treatment: a preliminary evaluation

“…In addition, the reaction between ozone and its ROS with the constituents of the virus structure (including lipids, proteins and amino acids) could lead to the formation of other ROS, including reactive radicals, which further propagate oxidation through a chain reaction. As already assumed by Tizaoui [ 8 ], ozone, via an oxidative process, could attack the proteins and lipids of the SARS-CoV-2’s spikes and envelope, destroying the virus integrity and inhibiting the mechanism by which it infects.…”

In-vitro Virucidal Activity of Hypothiocyanite and Hypothiocyanite/lactoferrin Mix Against SARS-CoV-2

“…Ozone at high doses has been shown to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 by oxidative stress both directly and indirectly through reactive oxygen species produced by ozone decomposition and/or by oxidation of double bonds of viral lipids, proteins, and amino acids that lead to the formation of reactive radicals (RCOO•) [16]. Indirect modes of action further propagate the oxidation through a chain reaction [17]. Enveloped viruses -as vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus, vaccinia virus, in uenza A virus and certain strains of type 1 herpes simplex virus -are more sensitive to ozone, whereas non-enveloped adenovirus type 2 was more resistant to this gas [18; 19].…”

“…Sulphydryl oxidation determines inhibition of numerous enzymes if the proteins contain the amino acid cysteine, which is abundant in the coronavirus proteins such as those in the spikes of the envelope [17].…”

Detection and disinfection of COVID-19 virus in wastewater

“…Ozone is a reliable, clean oxidizing agent with powerful microbicidal impact against viruses, bacteria and protozoan (Tizaoui 2020 ). Ozone is successful in obliterating viruses by destroying the viral protein.…”