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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
Inactivation of visna virus and other enveloped viruses by free fatty acids and monoglycerides
H Thormar1, C E Isaacs, K S Kim
1Institute of Biology, University of Iceland, Grensavegi, Reykjavík.
Abstract:
Human milk was found to become antiviral during storage at 4 degrees C because of the release of fatty acids by lipolysis. The stored milk caused more than a 10,000-fold inactivation of visna virus during incubation at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes. Medium-chain saturated and long-chain unsaturated fatty acids inactivated visna virus and other enveloped viruses causing more than a 3000-fold to 10,000-fold reduction in virus titer. 1-Monoglycerides and ethers of medium-chain fatty acids were more antiviral than the corresponding free fatty acids. Antiviral fatty acids were found to affect the viral envelope, causing leakage and, at higher concentrations, a complete disintegration of the envelope and the viral particles. Lipids commonly found in natural products could possibly be used as antiviral agents against enveloped viruses.
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