Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 variants by nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide loaded with metals as visible-light photocatalysts

• Published in: Biotechnology letters Vol. 45; no. 4; pp. 551 - 561
• Main Authors: Matsuyama, Takashi, Saeki, Shu, Kosaka, Satoru, Matsuoka, Yoriko, Aoki, Yoshifumi, Itoh, Yasushi, Imaeda, Takao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.04.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acetaldehyde; Applied Microbiology; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Catalysis; Catalytic activity; Cell culture; Coatings; Copper; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Deactivation; Disease transmission; Heavy metals; Humans; Inactivation; Irradiation; Life Sciences; Light; Light irradiation; Metals; Microbiology; Natural environment; Nitrogen; Nitrogen Dioxide; Original Research Paper; Pandemics; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; Protective coatings; Proteins; R&D; Radiation; Research & development; SARS-CoV-2 - genetics; Scanning electron microscopy; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Silver; Titanium; Titanium - radiation effects; Titanium dioxide; Visible-light photocatalyst; SARS-CoV-2; Viral inactivation; Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide
• ISSN: 0141-5492; 1573-6776
• DOI: 10.1007/s10529-023-03361-3

Purpose We examined the inactivation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by a nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (N-TiO 2 ) visible-light photocatalyst that was activated via light irradiation in the natural environment and was safe for human use as a coating material. Methods The photocatalytic activity of glass slides coated with three types of N-TiO 2 without metal or loaded with copper or silver and copper was investigated by measuring acetaldehyde degradation. The titer levels of infectious SARS-CoV-2 were measured using cell culture after exposing photocatalytically active coated glass slides to visible light for up to 60 min. Results N-TiO 2 photoirradiation inactivated the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain and this effect was enhanced by copper loading and further by the addition of silver. Hence, visible-light irradiation using silver and copper-loaded N-TiO 2 inactivated the Delta, Omicron, and Wuhan strains. Conclusion N-TiO 2 could be used to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 variants, including emerging variants, in the environment.