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Ionic surfactants alter virus surface properties and electrostatic interactions in aqueous systems.
Makayla Loey1, Gabriel Costa Alverni Da Hora2, Jennifer Weidhaas1
1University of Utah, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 110 Central Campus Drive, Suite 2000, Salt Lake City UT 84112, United States.
FEMS Microbes
|September 24, 2025
Summary
Ionic surfactants at sub-inhibitory concentrations alter virus properties like isoelectric point and size. These interactions, particularly with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride (BAC), affect virus surface proteins and interactions with surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Biophysics
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Interactions between viruses and surfactants at sub-inhibitory concentrations are not well understood.
- Surfactants below the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) may alter virus surface properties without causing inactivation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine the MIC of benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride (BAC) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) for human adenovirus (ADV) and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV).
- Investigate how sub-MIC surfactants influence virus isoelectric point (IEP), hydrated diameter, and surface protein interactions.
Main Methods:
- Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination for ADV and MHV with BAC and SDS.
- Measurement of virus isoelectric point (IEP) and hydrated diameter using dynamic light scattering.
- Molecular dynamics simulations to analyze surfactant-protein interactions.
Main Results:
- Both BAC and SDS exhibited MICs of 1 mg/L against ADV and MHV.
- Surfactant exposure decreased the experimental IEP of both viruses.
- Dynamic light scattering revealed a reduction in the hydrated diameter of ADV and MHV upon surfactant exposure.
- Molecular dynamics simulations showed differential interactions of SDS and BAC with the MHV spike protein.
Conclusions:
- Ionic surfactants at sub-inhibitory concentrations significantly alter virus physicochemical properties, including IEP and hydrated diameter.
- The observed changes in virus properties can influence their interactions with surfaces in various environments.
- SDS demonstrated a more pronounced effect on the MHV spike protein's electrostatic environment compared to BAC.
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