Performance study of a sterilization box using a combination of heat and ultraviolet light irradiation for the prevention of COVID-19

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 virus and other pathogenic microbes are transmitted to the environment through contacting surfaces, which need to be sterilized for the prevention of COVID-19 and related diseases. In this study, a prototype of a cost-effective sterilization box is developed to disinfect small items. The box utilizes ultra violet (UV) radiation with heat. For performance assessment, two studies were performed. First, IgG (glycoprotein, a model protein similar to that of spike glycoprotein of SARS-COV-2) was incubated under UV and heat sterilization. An incubation with UV at 70 °C for 15 minutes was found to be effective in unfolding and aggregation of the protein. At optimized condition, the hydrodynamic size of the protein increased to ∼171 nm from ∼5 nm of the native protein. Similarly, the OD 280 values also increased from 0.17 to 0.78 indicating the exposure of more aromatic moieties and unfolding of the protein. The unfolding and aggregation of the protein were further confirmed by the intrinsic fluorescence measurement and FTIR studies, showing a 70% increase in the β-sheets and a 22 % decrease in the α-helixes of the protein. The designed box was effective in damaging the protein’s native structure indicating the effective inactivation of the SARS-COV-2. Furthermore, the incubation at 70 °C for 15 minutes inside the chamber resulted in 100 % antibacterial efficacy for the clinically relevant E.coli bacteria as well as for bacteria collected from daily use items. It is the first detailed performance study on the efficacy of using UV irradiation and heat together for disinfection from virus and bacteria.

High altitude Relieves transmission risks of COVID-19 through meteorological and environmental factors: Evidence from China

“…Generally, the median half-life of the novel Coronavirus in aerosol is 2.74 h. It can live on contaminant surfaces for up to several days and still be infectious. Consequently, a combination of heat and ultraviolet light irradiation was used for the sterilization and prevention of COVID-19 ( Mahanta et al, 2021 ). However, our studies didn't observe a significant difference of solar radiation at low- and high-altitude regions.…”

SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogenic microorganisms in the environment

“… Liu et al (2021a) showed implications for COVID-19 related to the fact that selenium plays a key role in the biological effects of some viruses. Liu et al (2021b) reported the data of a study on the role of seasonality in the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, whereas Mahanta et al (2021) conducted a performance study of a sterilization box, using a combination of heat and ultraviolet light irradiation for the prevention of COVID-19. More general was the study by Moresco et al (2021) , dealing with the survival of human enteric and respiratory viruses on plastics in soil, freshwater, and marine environments, as was that conducted by Pirasteh-Anosheh et al (2021) , focused on haloculture as a system to mitigate the negative impacts of pandemics on the environment, society, and economy.…”

Pollution free UV-C radiation to mitigate COVID-19 transmission

“…Typically, different kind of disinfectant techniques hydrogen peroxide vaporization, microwave generating steam, UV radiation and dry heating are available to stop the spreading of COVID19 ( Arellano-Cotrina et al, 2021 , Mahanta et al, 2021 , V, A.A.R., R, V., Haghighat, F., , 2020 ). Among different chemicals, 75% ethanol, peroxy-acetic acid, chloroform and other chlorine containing disinfectant (sodium hypo-chloride etc.)…”