New publication by Federica Recupido, Francesco Ricchi, Giuseppe Cesare Lama, Alessandra Soriente, Maria Grazia Raucci, Giovanna Giuliana Buonocore, Claudio Cermelli, Isabella Marchesi, Stefania Paduano, Annalisa Bargellini, Antonella Mansi and Letizia Verdolotti. The article “Zein-based nanostructured coatings: A green approach to enhance virucidal efficacy of protective face masks” is the result of a collaboration between the Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials of Naples, Italy, the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and the “Istituto Nazionale per l’Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro (INAIL)”, Rome, Italy.
ABSTRACT
Face masks represent a valuable tool to prevent the spreading of airborne viruses; however, they show poor comfort and scarce antiviral efficacy. Zein-based coatings are herein exploited to enhance antiviral performance. Zein functionalization is done through acidifying agents (lactic acid, LA). Coatings are characterized in terms of morphological, mechanical, breathability, and cytotoxicity analyses. The antiviral efficacy is tested in vitro against four viruses (Human Coronavirus OC43, Herpes Simplex Virus type 1, Human Adenovirus type 5, and MPox Virus) according to a biological assay on cell cultures. Zein/Zein LA antiviral activity seems to be linked to its positive surface charge that enables to form electrostatic interactions with negatively charged-viruses, resulting in the highest activity (reduction >2 Log) on Human Coronavirus OC43 and Herpes Simplex Virus type 1, with efficacy comparable or higher than that of copper/copper oxide-based- coatings. No significant activity is observed against Human Adenovirus type 5 and MPox Virus, due to their high resistance to inactivating treatments. Zein-based systems are not cytotoxic and their water vapor permeability is reduced of 26 % compared to that of not-coated systems. These promising results offer interesting insights into design of antiviral and sustainable coatings for personal protective equipment.
See the full text at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141813024096417?via%3Dihub