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PMMA Microcapsules for the Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2
Vânia I Sousa1, Joana F Parente1, Juliana F Marques1,2
1Centre of Physics of the Universities of Minho and Porto (CF-UM-PT), University of Minho, Campus of Azurém, 4835-386 Guimarães, Portugal.
Abstract:
Surface disinfection currently plays a decisive role in the epidemiological situation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. However, most disinfection products available on the market have a high evaporation rate and only an immediate action and not continuous, creating the need for a high frequency of disinfection. To overcome this limitation, in the present work, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microcapsules were developed with an active agent (hydrogen peroxide) encapsulated, which has the ability to inactivate/neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus. PMMA-H2O2 microcapsules have a spherical shape and a smooth structure with low porosity and were successfully attached to nonwoven fabrics, as observed from scanning electron microscopy. The thermogravimetric analysis shows that PMMA-H2O2 microcapsules have high thermal stability and can increase the stability of H2O2. Nonfabric substrates functionalized with PMMA-H2O2 microcapsules were tested by a highly sensitive and specific reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)-based method to evaluate antiviral activity through the degradation of SARS-CoV-2 deoxyribonucleic acids. The highest percentage of viral nucleic acid elimination was obtained when exposing the viral sample for 1 h to PMMA-H2O2 microcapsules, resulting in an elimination of >97% of the coronavirus. In addition, the microcapsules are stable over a period of three weeks and retain the ability to eliminate SARS-CoV-2. Hence, it is demonstrated that this microcapsule system is efficient for SARS-CoV-2 elimination and inherent surface disinfection.
Insights
New poly(methyl methacrylate) microcapsules loaded with hydrogen peroxide offer continuous surface disinfection. These microcapsules effectively eliminate over 97% of SARS-CoV-2, addressing the limitations of current rapid-evaporation disinfectants.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Virology
Background:
- Current surface disinfectants for SARS-CoV-2 have high evaporation rates and short-lived effects, necessitating frequent reapplication.
- There is a need for disinfection technologies offering prolonged efficacy and reduced application frequency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microcapsules containing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for enhanced surface disinfection against SARS-CoV-2.
- To assess the antiviral efficacy and stability of PMMA-H2O2 microcapsules functionalized onto nonwoven fabrics.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PMMA microcapsules encapsulating hydrogen peroxide.
- Functionalization of nonwoven fabrics with PMMA-H2O2 microcapsules.
- Characterization using scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis.
- Antiviral activity testing using reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to quantify SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid degradation.
Main Results:
- PMMA-H2O2 microcapsules exhibited a spherical shape, smooth structure, and low porosity.
- Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed high thermal stability and enhanced H2O2 stability.
- Functionalized nonwoven fabrics achieved >97% elimination of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid within 1 hour of exposure.
- The microcapsules demonstrated stability and efficacy for up to three weeks.
Conclusions:
- PMMA microcapsules effectively encapsulate and stabilize hydrogen peroxide.
- The functionalized nonwoven fabric provides a stable and highly efficient surface for continuous SARS-CoV-2 elimination.
- This microcapsule system presents a promising solution for improved surface disinfection strategies against coronaviruses.
