A1 Journal article (refereed)
Antiviral action of a functionalized plastic surface against human coronaviruses (2024)

Shroff, S., Haapakoski, M., Tapio, K., Laajala, M., Leppänen, M., Plavec, Z., Haapala, A., Butcher, S. J., Ihalainen, J. A., Toppari, J. J., & Marjomäki, V. (2024). Antiviral action of a functionalized plastic surface against human coronaviruses. Microbiology Spectrum, 12(2), Article e03008-23. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03008-23

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Shroff, Sailee; Haapakoski, Marjo; Tapio, Kosti; Laajala, Mira; Leppänen, Miika; Plavec, Zlatka; Haapala, Antti; Butcher, Sarah J.; Ihalainen, Janne A.; Toppari, J. Jussi; et al.

Journal or series: Microbiology Spectrum

eISSN: 2165-0497

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 16/01/2024

Volume: 12

Issue number: 2

Article number: e03008-23

Publisher: American Society for Microbiology

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03008-23

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/93022

Abstract

Viruses may persist on solid surfaces for long periods, which may contrib­ute to indirect transmission. Thus, it is imperative to develop functionalized surfaces that will lower the infectious viral load in everyday life. Here, we have tested a plastic surface functionalized with tall oil rosin against the seasonal human coronavirus OC43 as well as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. All tested non-functionalized plastic surfaces showed virus persistence up to 48 h. In contrast, the functionalized plastic showed good antiviral action already within 15 min of contact and excellent efficacy after 30 min over 90% humidity. Excellent antiviral effects were also observed at lower humidities of 20% and 40%. Despite the hydrophilic nature of the functionalized plastic, viruses did not adhere strongly to it. According to helium ion microscopy, viruses appeared flatter on the rosin-functionalized surface, but after flushing away from the rosin-functionalized surface, they showed no apparent structural changes when imaged by transmission electron microscopy of cryogenic or negatively stained specimens or by atomic force microscopy. Flushed viruses were able to bind to their host cell surface and enter endosomes, suggesting that the fusion with the endosomal membrane was halted. The eluted rosin from the functionalized surface demonstrated its ability to inactivate viruses, indicating that the antiviral efficacy relied on the active leaching of the antiviral substances, which acted on the viruses coming into contact. The rosin-functionalized plastic thus serves as a promising candidate as an antiviral surface for enveloped viruses.

Keywords: viruses; coronaviruses; surfaces; plastic; tall oil

Free keywords: antiviral surface; virus persistence; human coronavirus; plastic; tall oil rosin

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Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2