Virus adsorbent systems based on Amazon holocellulose and nanomaterials.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Growing environmental concerns necessitate biodegradable alternatives to petrochemicals, especially for single-use items like face masks.
• Non-biodegradable materials contribute to microplastic pollution, increasing the demand for sustainable filtering solutions.
• The emergence of new viral strains necessitates advanced antiviral materials for public health and contagion control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel, functional, and biodegradable materials for antiviral applications.
• To create eco-friendly filtering systems using local by-products and advanced nanomaterials.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of developed antiviral systems against viral pathogens.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized 16 distinct systems using combinations of holocellulose, polyaniline (ES-PANI), graphene oxide (GO), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and activated carbon (AC).
• Evaluated spike protein adsorption efficiency using adsorption tests.
• Assessed viral titer reduction using the VSV-IN strain in HepG2 cells and performed biocompatibility tests on human fibroblasts.

Main Results:

• Systems incorporating graphene oxide (GO) and activated carbon (AC) demonstrated superior spike protein adsorption.
• The system containing all precursor materials (holocellulose, ES-PANI, GO, AgNPs, AC) exhibited the most significant reduction in viral titer.
• Biocompatibility tests confirmed low cytotoxicity of the extracted compounds on human fibroblasts, indicating safety for potential applications.

Conclusions:

• Systems labeled I and J, particularly the comprehensive blend of all components, are highly effective antiviral materials.
• These novel materials offer enhanced adsorption efficiency and significant viral titer reduction, contributing to public health.
• The developed antiviral systems show promise for use in sensors and devices for filtering and sanitization, mitigating virus and bacteria transmission.