Virus Stabilization with Enhanced Porous Superabsorbent Polymer (PSAP) Beads for Diagnostics and Surveillance

Abstract

The continuous outbreaks of viral pathogens raise tremendous challenges to public health. Early detection of viruses is essential to prevent and control their associated diseases. Due to the rapid degradation of viruses in the absence of host organisms, the handling, transport, and storage of virus samples without refrigeration are extremely challenging. In this study, we apply bovine serum albumin (BSA)-modified porous superabsorbent polymer (PSAP) beads for encapsulation and stabilization of viruses. The shelf life of the enveloped virus Phi6 and nonenveloped virus MS2 with or without PSAP treatment has been evaluated during storage at different temperatures. Under the tested conditions, the PSAP/BSA beads can lower the infectivity reduction rate constant by up to 35- and 13-folds for Phi6 and MS2, respectively. In addition, the PSAP/BSA beads can achieve excellent RNA recovery efficiencies under room-temperature storage for both single-stranded and double-stranded RNA genome structures, which are comparable to those of refrigeration storage. This study also elucidates that the immobilization of viruses on polymer surfaces is a critical stabilization mechanism of the PSAP treatment. Overall, this low-cost and energy-saving technology eliminates the temperature regulations for virus sample storage and expands the utility of large-scale virus surveillance.

Bacteria and Virus Inactivation: Relative Efficacy and Mechanisms of Peroxyacids and Chlor(am)ine

“…To evaluate the viral inactivation mechanisms, viral genome damage during disinfection by PFA, PAA, and free chlorine, was measured by RT-qPCR following previous methods (Text S5). , The rate constant for genome damage was calculated (eqs and ), and the reaction of the whole genome was predicted through the extrapolation of the RT-qPCR results (eq ). ln ( N N 0 ) = prefix− normalC · normalT × k RT‐qPCR = 2.3 × log 10 ( N N 0 ) k genome = L total L amp × k RT‐qPCR = L total × k normalized where k RT‑qPCR and k genome are the apparent degradation reaction rate constants of the RT-qPCR target regions and the entire genomes of the viruses, respectively, in L·mg –1 ·s –1 ; L amp is the size of the qPCR amplicons, i.e., 83 bases for MS2 and 280 bases (140 base pairs) for Φ6 in this study; L total is the size of the entire genome, i.e., 3600 bases for MS2 and 26 800 bases (13 400 base pairs) for Φ6; k normalized is the normalized rate constant in L·mg –1 ·s –1 ·base –1 ; C·T is the cumulative exposure to oxidants (in mg·s·L –1 ); N 0 is the initial concentration of genome (copies·mL –1 ); and N is the genome concentration after certain exposure to oxidants (copies·mL –1 ).…”

“…To evaluate the viral inactivation mechanisms, viral genome damage during disinfection by PFA, PAA, and free chlorine, was measured by RT-qPCR following previous methods (Text S5). 50,51 The rate constant for genome damage was calculated (eqs 1 and 2), and the reaction of the whole genome was predicted through the extrapolation of the RT-qPCR results (eq 2). 36…”

Research Advances in Superabsorbent Polymers

“…In recent years, natural polymers, especially polysaccharide-based superabsorbent polymers, have garnered significant attention due to their non-toxicity and good hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability compared with synthetic polymers. The main materials used for superabsorbent polymers are natural polymers, such as cellulose [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 89 ], chitosan [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 90 ], starch [ 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 91 ], proteins [ 9 , 58 , 59 , 60 ], amino acids [ 61 , 62 , 63 , 92 ], and alginate [ 64 , 65 , 66 , 93 ].…”

“…ity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability compared with synthetic polymers. The main materials used for superabsorbent polymers are natural polymers, such as cellulose [48][49][50]89], chitosan [51][52][53]90], starch [54][55][56][57]91], proteins [9,[58][59][60], amino acids [61][62][63]92], and alginate [64][65][66]93].…”