Enhancing Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers Antiviral Activity Using Greenly Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Emerging respiratory viruses necessitate advanced antiviral protective materials.
• Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) offer virucidal properties.
• Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers provide a suitable matrix for protective materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize crocin-mediated Ag NPs for antiviral applications.
• To incorporate Ag NPs into PAN nanofibers (Ag-PAN NFs) for enhanced face mask protection.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Ag-PAN NFs against viral infection.

Main Methods:

• Green synthesis of Ag NPs using crocin.
• Optimization of Ag NP formulation and process variables using d-optimal response surface design.
• Fabrication of Ag-PAN NFs via electrospinning.
• In vitro cytotoxicity assessment using MTT assay on Vero cells.
• Evaluation of antiviral efficacy using immunofluorescent assay to inhibit ACE2-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interaction.

Main Results:

• Synthesized Ag NPs with a small particle size (23.21 ± 0.86 nm) and good stability (PDI: 0.23 ± 0.019, ZP: -21.8 ± 1.82 mV).
• Optimized Ag-PAN NFs (8% PAN, 0.25% Ag NPs) exhibited suitable morphology (mean diameter: 378.88 ± 91.12 nm).
• Ag-PAN NFs demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and potent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection with an IC50 of 10.99 µg/mL.

Conclusions:

• Crocin-mediated Ag NPs are effectively integrated into PAN nanofibers.
• The resulting Ag-PAN NFs are biocompatible and safe for potential use in protective masks.
• Ag-PAN NFs show significant promise as effective antiviral materials against SARS-CoV-2.