Persistence of Coronavirus on Surface Materials and Its Control Measures Using Nonthermal Plasma and Other Agents

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been responsible for the initiation of the global pandemic since 2020. The virus spreads through contaminated air particles, fomite, and surface-contaminated porous (i.e., paper, wood, and masks) and non-porous (i.e., plastic, stainless steel, and glass) materials. The persistence of viruses on materials depends on porosity, adsorption, evaporation, isoelectric point, and environmental conditions, such as temperature, pH, and relative humidity. Disinfection techniques are crucial for preventing viral contamination on animated and inanimate surfaces. Currently, there are few effective methodologies for preventing SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses without any side effects. Before infection can occur, measures must be taken to prevent the persistence of the coronavirus on the surfaces of both porous and non-porous inanimate materials. This review focuses on coronavirus persistence in surface materials (inanimate) and control measures. Viruses are inactivated through chemical and physical methods; the chemical methods particularly include alcohol, chlorine, and peroxide, whereas temperature, pH, humidity, ultraviolet irradiation (UV), gamma radiation, X-rays, ozone, and non-thermal, plasma-generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are physical methods.

Inactivation of SARS CoV-2 on porous and nonporous surfaces by compact portable plasma reactor

“…In conclusion, the results of this feasibility study show the potential of the CPPR as a powerful, scalable, decontamination technology for reducing the spread of infection diseases like COVID-19 and future pandemics. Additionally, previous literature on pathogen decontamination using the CPPR specifically (Choudhury et al, 2018;Roy et al, 2021;Choudhury et al, 2023), and DBD based ozone in general (Kogelschatz, 2003;Laroussi and Leipold, 2004;Park et al, 2006;Mastanaiah et al, 2013;Scholtz et al, 2015;Mandal et al, 2018;Gradini et al, 2019;Office of Planetary Protection, 2019;Bayarri et al, 2021;Feizollahi et al, 2021;Bhartiya et al, 2022;Choudhury et al, 2022;Ashokkumar et al, 2023;Epelle et al, 2023b;Kaushik et al, 2023), supports the feasibility of CPPR technology against various pathogens bacterial and fungal species. Thus, broader implications for public health lie in the potential of the CPPR to address the societal need of a non-thermal (low processing temperatures), convenient, portable, economical, safe and efficient solution for disinfecting PPE, surgical tools, medical devices, food, beverages, etc.…”

“…Cold plasma, also known as non-thermal plasma or atmospheric plasma, is a type of plasma created at or near room temperature, without heating the surrounding gas to high temperatures. Literature shows cold plasma to be a potential alternative to traditional decontamination methods used for food preservation, surface disinfection, medical device sterilization, and surface sterilization in space missions ( Laroussi and Leipold, 2004 ; Ehlbeck et al, 2010 ; Weltmann et al, 2012 ; Mastanaiah et al, 2013 ; Rutala and Weber, 2013 ; Scholtz et al, 2015 ; Choudhury et al, 2018 ; Mandal et al, 2018 ; Gradini et al, 2019 ; Office of Planetary Protection, 2019 ; Bayarri et al, 2021 ; Feizollahi et al, 2021 ; Roy et al, 2021 ; Bhartiya et al, 2022 ; Choudhury et al, 2022 ; Ashokkumar et al, 2023 ; Epelle et al, 2023b ; Choudhury et al, 2023 ; Kaushik et al, 2023 ). Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) is a type of cold plasma which is formed when a high enough alternating voltage is applied across one or more electrodes separated by a dielectric medium.…”

The survival of murine hepatitis virus (a surrogate of SARS-CoV-2) on conventional packaging materials under cold chain conditions

“…Our study found that MHV-JHM was more stable on foam and plastic surfaces compared to wood and cardboard sheet surfaces at 4°C. We attribute this to the rapid evaporation of virus-containing microdroplets on the surface of porous materials (wood and cardboard sheets) which impairs the viability of MHV-JHM ( 23 , 24 ), given that the drying condition is able to denature the viral protein, change the viral lipid, and finally, result in a lower titers of virus ( 25 ). In addition to water evaporation, other conditions such as pH and the concentration of salts also determined the “fate” of the virus ( 26 ).…”

In-Silico Assessment of Chemical Disinfectants on Surface Proteins Unveiled Dissimilarity in Antiviral Efficacy and Suitability Towards Pathogenic Viruses

“…The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for robust, sustainable, and accessible antiviral therapies [7,8]. Although chemical disinfectants, antiviral drugs, and phytochemicals have shown promise in targeting various stages of viral infections [9,10], the development of resistance and environmental challenges poses significant hurdles to their sustainability [4,8]. This short communication was aimed to assess the antiviral efficacy and sustainability of chemical disinfectants against major human pathogenic viruses using computational evaluations of disinfectant categories targeting viral structural proteins.…”