Researchers from the Product Engineering and Chemistry Laboratory (LEQUIP), at Unicamp, explored the potential of interactions between metal ions and natural polymers in the environmental and biomedical area. With the new coronavirus pandemic and the arrival of Covid-19 in Brazil, they had the idea of evaluating whether these compounds would also be capable of inactivating SARS-CoV-2.
Thus, the newest technology emerged that can put an end to the frequent changes of masks and other accessories that have become part of the population's protection routine, the so-called PPE (personal protective equipment). This is a coating process for these materials, capable of forming an active, long-acting protective layer that neutralizes the coronavirus upon contact.
SprayCov, as it was named, eliminated the coronavirus after just one minute and maintained 99,99% effectiveness for the next 48 hours. “Our formula is not a sanitizing agent like alcohol 70 or sodium hypochlorite that we use in cleaning, this is a process to make the mask capable of inactivating the virus”, explains Marisa Masumi Beppu, professor at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and founder of LEQUIP.
The technology is recommended for PPE used by healthcare professionals, but the spray can also be sprayed on cotton masks. The idea is to provide an active barrier that destroys the virus as soon as it comes into contact with the covered surface. Currently, personal protective equipment serves more as a physical barrier.
One of the scientists' concerns was the careful choice of substances, considering the impacts of prolonged use of the spray on the environment. Copper salts have already been used on a large scale in agriculture for more than a century, as a fungicide to contain the spread of pests. “The environmental impact would be no different from a farmer using Bordeaux mixture on his plantation”, says Marisa.
The technology also uses a mixture of biodegradable polymers that work as a type of glue to fix the salts. Adhesion was tested on various surfaces, achieving the same results on fabrics and non-woven fabrics. With the promising results, the Inova Unicamp Innovation Agency filed the patent application with the National Institute of Industrial Property and is promoting the active offer of the technology to companies with the potential to license the technology and take it to the market. “Recently, we were approached by textile companies and also from the public sector”, said Marisa.
As effective and cheaper than silver
Another advantage of the formula is the price of inputs. The cost of covering masks with SprayCov was calculated by researchers at just under R$0,02 per mask. “Copper is as effective as silver”, says Clarice Weis Arns, professor at the Institute of Biology, and responsible for the tests. Efficacy analyzes were carried out at Unicamp's Animal Virology Laboratory (LVA), which has already evaluated the virucidal action of other products presented by the university's task force, set up at the beginning of the year against Covid-19.
Samples of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and a model of it, called MHV (another type of coronavirus, more resistant and which only affects mice) were placed in contact with the formula and live cells in vitro. SprayCov showed no toxicity to cells, inhibited coronavirus replication for 3 days and also reduced the inoculation capacity, disrupting the mechanisms that allow the disease to take hold.
The coating releases ions that attack the virus. These electrically charged particles would cause ruptures, decomposing and destroying the envelope that covers the microorganism. “In this outermost layer, made up of glycoproteins, there is all the genetic information that allows the coronavirus to enter our cells. Once undone, the virus ceases to exist and can no longer infect the host”, explains Clarice.
For the virologist, the technology is not only viable but also opens up other possibilities for the field of research. “You are applying the product very close to the upper airways, if there is a virus trapped in our eyelashes, nose or throat, covering the mask can help eliminate it”, she comments.
The researchers believe that the invention may also be effective against other types of viruses that cause respiratory diseases, such as Influenza caused by H1N1. New ongoing studies seek to elucidate how copper ions, and possibly also some counter-ions that balance the component, act in the battle to destroy these microorganisms.
In addition to teachers Marisa and Clarice, students João Batista Maia Rocha Neto, Rogério Aparecido Bataglioli, Amanda Barbosa Garcia, Laise Maia Lopes and Guilherme Bedeschi Calais participated in the research and are listed as inventors of the patent.
original article published on the website of Unicamp’s Inova Innovation Agency.
