Irradiation of UVC LED at 277 nm inactivates coronaviruses in association to photodegradation of spike protein. Issue 10 (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ong, Qunxiang; Ronnie Teo, J.W.; Dela Cruz, Joshua; Wee, Elijah; Wee, Winson; Han, Weiping
• Is Part Of: Heliyon. Volume 8:Issue 10(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: UVC disinfection -- Spike protein -- Coronavirus -- 277-Nm LED -- Photodegradation; Research -- Periodicals; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 507.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2405-8440

Abstract

Abstract: To interrupt SARS-CoV-2 transmission chains, Ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation has emerged as a potential disinfection tool to aid in blocking the spread of coronaviruses. While conventional 254-nm UVC mercury lamps have been used for disinfection purposes, other UVC wavelengths have emerged as attractive alternatives but a direct comparison of these tools is lacking with the inherent mechanistic properties unclear. Our results using human coronaviruses, hCoV-229E and hCoV-OC43, have indicated that 277-nm UVC LED is most effective in viral inactivation, followed by 222-nm far UVC and 254-nm UVC mercury lamp. While UVC mercury lamp is more effective in degrading viral genomic content compared to 277-nm UVC LED, the latter results in a pronounced photo-degradation of spike proteins which potentially contributed to the higher efficacy of coronavirus inactivation. Hence, inactivation of coronaviruses by 277-nm UVC LED irradiation constitutes a more promising method for disinfection. Abstract : UVC disinfection; Spike protein; Coronavirus; 277-nm LED; Photodegradation.