Anticoronavirus formulations based on chitosan

AYALA PEÑA VICTORIA; ALVAREZ, VERA; LASSALLE, VERÓNICA L.

Conferencia; Virology World Conference; 2022

Presenter Name: Victoria Belen Ayala PeñaAbstract: Our interdisciplinary working group was motivated by the challenge of proposing tools for the fight against the sudden pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 and the present. We have obtained several formulations based on chitosan, a biodegradable, non-antigenic, non-toxic, and biocompatible natural polymer. These formulations have different characteristics and applications. We developed novel antiviral cotton fabrics impregnated with different formulations based on Chitosan, citric acid, and Cupper nanoparticles. The resulting impregnated textiles exhibited integrated properties of good adhesion without substantially modifying their appearance and anti-herpes virus and betacoronavirus efficacy (~ 100%), which enabling to serve as a scalable biocidal layer in protective types of equipment by providing contact killing against pathogens. The antiviral activity of formulations based on chitosan with copper nanoparticles was described for the first time in our work. This proposal may be considered a potential tool to inhibit the propagation and dissemination of enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Another of the main current challenges is to optimize the use of personal protection elements without the detriment of biosecurity. For this proposal, we obtained sprayable formulations based on chitosan. It is known that the combination of both metals (copper and silver) enhances the antibacterial activity of each one individually. We obtained the first antiviral spray based on chitosan and both (silver and copper) nanoparticles. The spray has simplified production, with potential use in industry, it´s easy to use and apply, for domestic use, is biodegradable, has immediate antiviral action, has antibacterial, and it is non-toxic, and does not produce skin irritation. The spray is applicable to any type of woven or non-woven fabric, and plastic surfaces. Implementing this kind of sprayable product would allow the face masks to be reused without the need sterilization or their elimination after use. Therefore, the two major advantages attributable to Chitosan formulations are the prevention of the spread of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Secondly, these technologies will contribute significantly to the reduction of waste production.