Recent development in antiviral surfaces: Impact of topography and environmental conditions

Apatite-Forming Ability and Visible Light-Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of CuO-Supported TiO2 Formed on Titanium by Chemical and Thermal Treatments

Titanium with apatite-forming ability as well as antibacterial activity is useful as a component of antibacterial dental implants. When Ti was subjected to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), copper acetate (Cu(OAc)2), and heat (H2O2-Cu(OAc)2-heat) treatments, a network structure of anatase and rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) and fine copper oxide (CuO) particles was formed on the Ti surface. The resulting samples accumulated a dense and uniform apatite layer on the surface when incubated in simulated body fluid and showed enhanced antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under visible-light irradiation. Electron spin resonance spectra of H2O2-Cu(OAc)2-heat-treated samples showed that hydroxyl radicals (·OH) were generated from the samples, and the concentration of ·OH increased with increasing Cu concentration of the Cu(OAc)2 solution. The enhanced antibacterial activity of these samples under visible-light irradiation may be attributable to the generation of ·OH from samples. These results suggest that Ti implants obtained using H2O2-Cu(OAc)2-heat treatments and subjected to regular or on-demand visible-light irradiation may provide a decreased risk of peri-implantitis.

Antiviral functionalization of cellulose using tannic acid and tannin-rich extracts

Due to seasonally appearing viruses and several outbreaks and present pandemic, we are surrounded by viruses in our everyday life. In order to reduce viral transmission, functionalized surfaces that inactivate viruses are in large demand. Here the endeavor was to functionalize cellulose-based materials with tannic acid (TA) and tannin-rich extracts by using different binding polymers to prevent viral infectivity of both non-enveloped coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and enveloped human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43). Direct antiviral efficacy of TA and spruce bark extract in solution was measured: EC50 for CVB3 was 0.12 and 8.41 μg/ml and for HCoV-OC43, 78.16 and 95.49 μg/ml, respectively. TA also led to an excellent 5.8- to 7-log reduction of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infectivity. TA functionalized materials reduced infectivity already after 5-min treatment at room temperature. All the tested methods to bind TA showed efficacy on paperboard with 0.1 to 1% (w/v) TA concentrations against CVB3 whereas material hydrophobicity decreased activities. Specific signatures for TA and HCoV-OC43 were discovered by Raman spectroscopy and showed clear co-localization on the material. qPCR study suggested efficient binding of CVB3 to the TA functionalized cellulose whereas HCoV-OC43 was flushed out from the surfaces more readily. In conclusion, the produced TA-materials showed efficient and broadly acting antiviral efficacy. Additionally, the co-localization of TA and HCoV-OC43 and strong binding of CVB3 to the functionalized cellulose demonstrates an interaction with the surfaces. The produced antiviral surfaces thus show promise for future use to increase biosafety and biosecurity by reducing pathogen persistence.