Article Citation: Rajpreet Kaur, and
Dr. Anita Gupta. (2020). ROLE OF GEMINI SURFACTANTS IN FIGHT AGAINST COVID19. International
Journal of Engineering Technologies and Management Research, 7(12), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.29121/ijetmr.v7.i12.2020.807 Published Date: 09 December 2020
Keywords: COVID-19 Hand Washing Ozone Quaternary
Ammonium Compounds And Gemini
Surfactants Micelles COVID-19, a pandemic, threatens the entire world by its multiplicative deadly behavior. Virus has caged the world’s people into their homes / isolation as their protective gear. Transmission rate, Case Fatality Rate, and Asymptomatic Transmission parameters determine the savage of COVID-19. More than a couple of months, mankind is staying locked in one’s home, which has never happened in the lifetime of any other generation. World Health Organization highlights the importance of hand Hygiene (Handwashing) by Soap/surfactant for 20 seconds and the use of alcohol-based Sanitizers as a part of personal health care. Soap functions as a weapon for sterilization of any viruses present on the surface. The lipid envelope of virusesis more susceptible to heat, desiccation or action of surfactants. Single tailed Quaternary ammonium compound surfactant is most commonly used as disinfectant or cleaning agent. Similarly, Gemini surfactants can also play a vital role as disinfectant / sanitizerin future. It is suggested that Gemini surfactants have imperative function in Air sanitation. Also, there is a valid comparison of Coronavirus with other SARS diseases. The deadly nature of virus can be understood by knowing its mechanism of action and mode of transmission. Once a chain of human to human transmission is initiated then it is very tricky to rupture the chain.
1. INTRODUCTION1.1. COVID: A
NOXIOUS PARTICLE IN THE VICINITY
The new
type of Coronavirus, 2019-nCOV was detected by an outbreak in Wuhan city, Hubei
province, China. The estimated incubation period of this virus is 14 days was
announced by U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on 31stJan.
2020 [1], [2]. Among the globally reported COVID-19 cases,
16% have been severe, only 2.2% fatal. Human-to-human transmission was found in
health care settings and general family clusters, in various countries. There
is a possible threat of exponential growth of the number of cases worldwide as
evident from the Reception binding analysis of this novel virus to human cells. No virus
can exhaust the untiring spirit of Mankind. WHO has launched Strategic
preparedness and Response Plan which includes tracking the spread of the virus,
better equipment for health workers, readily available testing kits, providing
water, sanitation, and hygiene to the vulnerable families and children to
protect them from COVID-19. Globally,
the Total number of COVID-19 Active cases 7,904,702, Death from COVID-19-1,033,330 and Recovered cases from
COVID-19-25,897,996 have been reported in
Oct.3, 2020 (Figure 1a). The updated overall numbers of total cases in Region
Wise including Total Active cases, Total death, and Total Recovery cases have
shown in Bar graph (Figure 1b). Figure 1a: Represents the percentage analysis of COVID-
19 cases Worldwide. Figure 1b: Represents the Number of Cases of COVID- 19
Region Wise. Terminology of virus: The word Corona originates from
protrusion of spikes like a crown on the surface of the virus. A virus can be
classified into three categories: Alpha category- 229E (alpha coronavirus),
NL63 (alpha coronavirus), Beta category- OC43 (beta coronavirus), HKU1 (beta
coronavirus), MERS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS), SARS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes
severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS), SARS-CoV-2 (the novel coronavirus
that causes coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19). Gamma category– some avian
species (IBV) [4]. Novel Corona belongs to the same category
of SARS and MERS that showed the asymptomatic symptoms [1], [4], [5]. So, due to its initial asymptomatic
behavior, Corona Virus also decided the terminology of human itself: H-Highly, U-Unhealthy, M-Messenger {of}, A – Asymptomatic, N- Novel- COVID-19. 1.2. COMPARING
CORONAVIRUS WITH OTHER SARS
Human
Corona was first spotted in the mid-1960s. A first Human coronavirus B814 was
isolated by Tyrell and Bynoe from the respiratory tract of a person having
symptoms of a common cold. Hamre and Procknow isolated 229E from medical
student having a cold. OC43 by McIntosh et al and 229E were having the same
morphology. A group of virologists were studying various strains of
transmissible viruses including hepatitis, swine flu concluded the same
morphology of them under an electron microscope in the late 1960s. These
strains of Coronaviruses are associated with pneumonia in children and chronic
bronchitis and critical illness in adults and elders. With time, in 2002 and
2003, a new strain of the SARS virus was emerged in China and spread worldwide.
Out of it, Asia was worst affected by SARS. HLN63 was reported in 2004, HCoV
HKU1 in 2005. Later, in 2012 another CoV emerged in the form of MERS- CoV in
Saudi Arabia. It was located in Camel and transmitted to closely contact humans [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14]. Now. In 2019, SARS- CoV-2 has evolved as a
pandemic in China and still scares the world [15].(Figure 2) Figure 2: Flow chart shows the chain Virus from China
wet market to other world countries and preventive measures used by Countries
to stop the chain of COVID-19. Modes of Transmission: Virus can transmit from
animal to animal (Figure 3), animal to human, and human to human. 229E, NL63,
OC43, HKU1, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV2 These seven types of Viruses can
infect the human race. 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1 can
directly infect the human and MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV2 are transmitted
from animal to human. Duration in air, humidity, airborne transmission,
duration on objects, Floor are the major routes of human to
human transmission [16], [17], [18]. Figure 3: Represents the transmission of viruses from
animal to animal. Structure of virus: Corona Virus is a spherical
pleomorphic microorganism having an average diameter of 120nm. Virus has 4
types of proteins: Spike (S protein), Envelope (E protein), Membrane (M
protein), Nucleocapsid (N protein). The structural and functional behavior of these
proteins of virus study (from outer to inner part) are as follow. S protein
named Spike plays an important role in infecting the host cells. Two types of
spikes are there, first, the long projections on the surface of the virus
consist of Glycoprotein having a length of 20nm. Second smaller spike, a
Hemagglutinin esterase HE embedded in the envelope of the virus. HE has a
property of invasion. It attaches and destructs the receptor sialic acid which
is present on the surface of host cells. E protein, The Envelope represents the
outer layer of the virus. It consists of bilayer lipid protein that infuses
with the membrane of the infected host cell and releases nucleocapsid and
genome into the host cell. It has an average diameter of 80nm. M protein is abundant
in the envelope. N -protein, the Nucleocapsid, are bound with a single-stranded
RNA genome. [5], [19], [20] How Virus works: Viruses are
considered to be immortal due to their exponential multiplication rate
per minute is higher than the mortal rate. Viruses have a budding process, the
budded parents’ cells shed more daughter virus particles into the environment
to an extended period. Then the virus enveloped themselves into the lipid
membrane and remain in search of new hosts for further replication Symptoms: At the early stage of infection,
people may or may not be sick. Virus uses the incubation period of 14 days [1] (usually an average of 5 days) to shows the
first symptom in infected people. Why medical practitioners are concerned with
fever and dry cough as a signal of an infected person,
because the symptom like fever a respondent of the immune system of the
host body to alarming the rest of the body by producing chemical cytokines and
dry cough shows the irritation of infected cells of lungs. Some major and less
common symptoms have been observed in COVID-19 infectious peoples. Virus shows
different symptoms in different people. Clinically tested reports show fever,
dry cough, dyspnoea, chest pain, fatigue, and myalgia as major symptoms and
less common symptoms include headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea,
nausea, and vomiting. Severe symptoms, which lead to fatal are shortness of
breath, chest pain, loss of speech and movement, severe pneumonia. The study of
2% cases globally [21], shows that virus prefers to attack on the
lower respiratory tract rather than upper respiratory tract as critical illness
stage. The first two patients age 61 & 69 died in Wuhan, China due to acute
respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [7], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28]. 2. FACTORS
INFLUENCING CORONAVIRUS
Weather
Conditions, host defence mechanism, age of host, contact period etc. are the
factors that affect the virus activity. Weather conditions like low temperature
and low humidity markedly increases the viability of COVID-19 on contaminated
surfaces [29].Major cases of SARS- CoV have emerged in the
season of November to March 2003 and 2005. Same with SARS CoV-2, the first case
was reported in December 2019 and keeps on increasing with a chain of infection
worldwide even in running year 2020. More air-conditioned areas like hospitals [30], [31], [32], [33], community centers, shopping malls, etc.
increases the survival of viruses from days to weeks and from dry to liquid
surfaces respectively. In these areas, a single droplet in the environment
provides a pathway for transmission of infection from human to human and also increases the rapid growth of the activity of the
SARS virus. Droplet size decides either to settle down on the surfaces of
material to contaminate or remains in the air to inhale by the susceptible
host. The estimated viability of SARS CoV-2 on dry surfaces using a Bayesian
regression model on the conducted experiment was from 4 hours to a maximum of
72 hours [15]. SARS CoV-1 and SARS CoV-2 have close
aerosol and surface stability related to the environment [34],but still stability process of SARS viruses
in the environment is unknown. From literature, it has been seen that effective
temperature range from 29- 32 degree has high discomfort on SARS viruses and
provide extreme instability on the temperature range of 32 -36 degree [29]. When exposed to a temperature of 56 degree
for 15 mins, it reduces the stability and even kills the virus. The host
defence mechanism is related to the immune system of host targeted by COVID-19 [28]. Prolonged diseased persons like diabetic,
cardiovascular, asthmatic are more susceptible to
COVID-19 attack because of the weak defence of the immune system. [35], [36], [37] 3.
COVID: A DAREDEVIL
COVID-19 virus
has forced many countries to declare it a national emergency, giving strict
guidelines and mandate to “Stay Home – Stay Safe”, wear a mask, observe social
distancing, avoid social gatherings, avoid public transport, sports complex,
clubs etc. WHO declared
COVID -19 a pandemic, which shows that this virus has the potential to affect
an exceptionally large population in the world. The
most frightening fact is that Coronavirus can survive for years without living
because it is a sphere of genetic material having spiky/thorny protein shell.
By entering into our respiratory system this virus can
capture our cells and can create millions of its replicas. The extent of its
wickedness is that many times it sits silently (person remains asymptomatic) in
a host and keeps spreading like a ghost. When the virus finds a host, it uses
the proteins on its surface to unbolt and occupy a decent space in its host
living cell. Thus, the molecular machinery of the host is seized. Its larger
size (three times bigger and heavier than pathogens responsible for dengue,
Zika, and West Nile) and relative sophistication in action, makes it more
toxic, deadly, poisonous, lethal. It multiplies itself at a fast rate (can make
approximate 10,000 imitations in a few hours). White Blood Cells in an infected
body start producing antibodies in large numbers to combat the attack. COVID: Dominant on mankind Why only running water is not
necessary: Because
COVID-19 is an enveloped virus with a bilayer of lipid membrane with protein
spikes. It acts like a grease that sticks with the skin surface. Due to non-
interaction between polar(water) and nonpolar (lipid membrane) components, the
virus remains intact with the skin, and water just simply runs out from the
hand. Corona infection Chain Transmission
from Human to Human: Coronavirus follows the chain transmission process (Figure 4) to rule
the world. Can we say Coronavirus as dangerous as the Nuclear fission
process? Yes,
I can say. Because both follows the chain process and sustains
itself. Three steps are involved in the chain process. First- Chain Initiation,
Second- Chain Propagation, Third- Chain termination. Chain
Initiation: In nuclear fission process initiation, Neutron is bombarded to 235Ur
to produce two unstable nuclei and three neutrons. Like-wise
this, Initially, coronavirus was bombarded by animals (Eg: Bat, Camel) to
Humans in China in a form of MERS- CoV, SARS-CoV, recent SARS- CoV-2. Chain
Propagation: In Chain propagation step of nuclear fission. Daughter neutrons
attack the uranium fuel to produce more neutrons and isotopes. Same COVID-19
virus replicates in the infected person and spread in the air by sneezing,
coughing, open breathing of infected person, and even touch of contagious
surfaces. New host human acts as fuel for the virus for their exponential
growth to explode. Airborne transmission plays an important role in the
transmission of COVID-19 from human to human by contaminated surfaces [16]. Chain
Termination: In the chain termination step of nuclear fission, Control rods are
used to absorb the neutrons. To terminate the chain reaction of COVID-19, some
control measures are applied by WHO like Handwashing with soap, Sanitization,
Use of disinfection Spray, Strict Lockdown [38]. Also, Worldwide Scientists, Researchers are
burning their days and nights for exploring the vaccine against this nuclear
COVID-19 [39]. Figure 4: Represents the Chain Transmission of
asymptomatic COVID-19 from human to human.
COVID pandemic in INDIA: This on-going India’s fight
against this invisible enemy is a great battle in which our country had tried
to flatten the curve of infection, by observing strict lockdown and mass
awareness regarding precautions. The toll in India is too low, compared to all
SAARC countries, evident the success of efforts, a half battle is won by
preventing community spread till date, prevented immense burden on health care
system so that we can buy time in hope of an effective drug development which
might save millions of precious lives [40]. India has
taken countless measures like travel visas stand suspended, all schools,
colleges, cinema halls, stadiums, sports clubs, public clubs will remain shut.
Mega drive of disinfecting all public places, private offices, shopping malls,
sanitization of public transport vehicles, and terminals was carried out.
Mammoth efforts to procure full quarantine body kits and spray machines were
carried on an urgent basis to prevent the spread. The real assessment of the
effectiveness of measures would come one year down the line when we count the
number of deaths per million of the population in each country. Hope India would
excel in that too. India has
many challenges like dense population, crowded places in urban areas, poor
access to medical facilities in rural areas, large population below poverty
line, lack of awareness, huge daily wagers and their dependent family members,
narrow supply of equipment, inadequate food supply chain etc [41], [42]. The updated confirmed number of corona
cases in India is 6,473,544, recovered cases 5,427,706, total death cases are
100,875. [43] Golden rules of Handwash: Hand hygiene resources play a
significant role in infection prevention and control [44], [45], [46], [47], [48]. 5th May is celebrated as Hand Hygiene Day
by WHO. UNESCO, The UN organization also in support of Chemistry [49], as basic Science teaches the Science behind
Handwashing to battle with COVID-19. In the context of the present situation,
we cannot ignore the basic science as ‘Our future is based on it.’ Washing your hands with
soap can save millions of lives in today’s scenario. Viruses are so tiny in
size that they often need mechanical and chemical action to remove the sticky
microorganisms out of the crevices of the skin. Rubbing soap for 20 seconds
continuously will result in penetrating the protecting oily lipid membrane of
the virus. The soap/surfactant molecules have dual behavior as they are
composed of hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts. The hydrophilic head reaches out
to bond with water, while the hydrophobic tail turns inwards and scoop up
bacteria/ virus which they catch in tiny soap bubble cages called Micelles.
(Figure 5). The
hydrophobic tail can bond with oil and fats will pierce the COVID-19 virus and
break it into RNA cells which can no further attack the human respiratory
system [50], [51], [52], [53]. The
regular soap will do the roles and responsibilities properly, with no room for
the antibacterial soap and gels. The antibacterial products do not have any
specific effect on the virus at all.
Corona stuck to Hand Soap interactionwith
Virus Figure 5: Represents How handwashing with soap is battling against
Corona. Role of Surfactant Micelles in
Sanitization: Nature
also uses the process of micelles for their metabolic activity. Even in human
body surfactants are produced e.g. Pulmonary (Lung)
surfactant, which is a Lipoprotein complex having both Hydrophilic and
hydrophobic parts. Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lipid is a major
component that reduces the surface tension and SP-A, SP-D act as Collectins,
inborn immunity against foreign particles, SP-B, and SP-C are hydrophobic
membrane proteins, which regulate the rate of spread of surfactant on the surface.
These proteins act synergistically to enrich the DPPC on the air-water
interface of alveoli for the functioning of the lungs [54], [55], [56], [57]. Another natural surfactant- Glycocholic
acid (Bile acid), which is a composition of hydrophilic glycine group and
hydrophobic cholic acid group. Bile acid act as a surfactant on the lipid/water
interface to form micelles. Bile acid micelles suspended in the chyme, enclose
nutrients for their absorption in the body [58], [59], [60]. Surfactants
are the surface-active agents [61], [62] function as a wetting agent [63], [64], Foaming agent [65], emulsifier [62], [63], [64], dispersants [62], [67]. Surfactant’s micellar structure acts as a
working module for cleaning of particles [63], [64], [68], [69], [70], [71] like dust, bacteria, viruses, etc from skin
surface. Surfactant operates by breaking down the interface between water and
oil/dirt [72]. Surfactants have the hydrophilic and
hydrophobic portions. Surfactants can help in the opening of Coronavirus
particles. Also, Surfactant encapsulates these viral molecules [73] inside a cage-like structure known
micelles, which are suspended in lather produced on a surface by soap and
water. In this way the viral material can be effectively deactivated and washed
away from the surface. Whenever a COVID-19 infected person breathes, sneeze,
cough, or allow saliva droplets to fall while talking then these viruses can
enter the body of other healthy people through eyes, nose, or mouth. Other
contaminated objects [70] in surroundings can also act as
virus carriers because the virus can survive on some surface for long hours in
the wait of some host cell. These
contaminated objects can transport viral infections whenever some touch
face/nose/mouth after touching such objects. Hand-washing
is the best way to protest against COVID-19. The gold standards of washing
hands involve proper rubbing of hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20
seconds continuously which should result in lather formation. The
hydrophobic part of the surfactant avoids water and promptly interacts with any
biological material/oil/fats-which makes the outer membrane [61] of Coronavirus. This pin-like
surfactant molecule would encapsulate the viral molecule in micelles. This
would result in solubilizing the nearly insoluble viral molecule and help us
get rid of the COVID-19 virus from our hands. For the effectiveness of soap,
lather must cover palms, fingernails, in-between the fingers, and
wrinkles/crevices on skin. Using any other disinfectant or sanitizer for hands,
might kill germs but would not remove them from the skin surface. All types of
soaps can do this job, including the basic soaps. Surfactants
are broadly classified as Anionic surfactants (alkyl sulfates, alkylbenzene
sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates); Cationic Surfactants
(Esterquats, monoalkyl quaternary systems, -QACs, Double alkyl quaternary
system- Gemini); Non-ionic Surfactant (ethoxylates, polysorbates); Amphoteric
Surfactant (Trimethyl glycine); Natural Biosurfactants (Pulmonary surfactant,
Glycocholic acid (Bile Acid), Lecithin, Cephalin [74]. Almost all cleansing products are
surfactant based. A recent study has suggested that Alcohol-free sanitizers if
made surfactant-based then they can quite effectively fight against COVID-19
spread. [75], [76], [77], [78] To
contain the spread of COVID-19, we need to disinfect skin, surfaces (like
chair, tables, laptops, mobile phones, remote devices, tetra packs etc.). The
use of soap and water is limited to availability, the circumstances, and
context. Thus, we should encourage the use of biosurfactants and become
environmentally responsible, use alcohol-free sanitizers which are easy on the
skin. Also,
Quaternary ammonium compound surfactant [79] (QACs)- single chain commercial surfactants
are preferred majorly as cleaner and disinfectant from the early 19’s because
of high stability, surface activity, compatibility with other ingredients, and
no odor. They are effective against most vegetative bacteria and enveloped
viruses and some fungi [79], [80], [81], [82], [83]. 0.05% to 2 % for the concentration of QACs
contacted with particles for 10 mins can work to disinfect the surface. QACs
have evolved from the older generation to the fifth generation with their
advanced working module. This fifth-generation QACs is
a composition of fourth and second-generation QAC that is, di decyl dimethyl
ammonium chloride + alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyl benzyl ammonium
dimetiletilbencil + of other varieties according to the formulations, which is
having both properties of remain active in hard water and biocidal activities
and safe to use. QAC with bromide counter-anions are more effective than
chloride ions. The working module of QACs based upon disrupt the outer cell
membrane of micro-organism, unload the internal cell constituents, engulf it in
its micellar structure and moved away [84]. Gemini Surfactant: Some reported surfactants
are also commercially available now in the market under the name Gemini
surfactants, which hold the 50% share of surfactant market. Gemini surfactants
are much more preferred over conventional single tail QAC surfactants and other
surfactants because of their properties like low CMC, solubility, Kraft point,
High hydrophobicity, in range Hydrophilicity/lipophilicity (HLB) value,
micelles formation, good self-aggregation, and effective antimicrobial activity
[74], [85]. Structurally, Gemini surfactants are double-tailed with the ionic head group separated by the
spacer. An ionic head group can be classified as cationic, anionic, non-ionic
and zwitterionic. Various Gemini surfactants [86] are available in the market by
changing in alkyl chain length, head group, and change in spacer length. The
general formula of Gemini surfactant is m-s-m, where m stands for alkyl chain ranges from (-CH3)12
to (-CH3)18and s stands for spacer number from 2 to 12. These
dimeric structures form better lather by decreasing their interfacial tension
(IFT). Hydrophobicity of Gemini surfactant can be increased by increasing their
hydrophobic chain length and their hydrophilic head group leads to further
increase their HLB level. This high HLB level is good for the removal of
oil/lipid [85] particles from surfaces than conventional
single-tailed surfactant. As reported in the literature, 6-9 range of HLB value
is considered good for the removal of oil/lipids from surfaces [87], [88], [89], [90]. High content of hydrophilicity up to the
range of 40 just increases the dissolution of surfactant molecules in water but
decreases the power of attachment with the surfaces by increasing the
interfacial tension. Instead of this, a double chain hydrophobic tail also
decreases the solubility of the surfactant in water. In support of this, low
CMC value and kraft value is major responsible for low concentration usage of
surfactant with high applicability which favors the low-cost economic sale
value. As the coronavirus is a double-layered lipid membrane particle, Gemini
surfactants are proposed to be good for the disruption and removal of virus
particles from the skin surface due to the high hydrophobicity effect that
vitals for interacting non-polar surfaces by displacing the polar molecules
away. Still there is a need for more findings on it.Factor like chain length, number of tails, head group,
spacer length, temperature, ionic strength, additive, etc affects the
micellization propertyand antimicrobial activity of surfactant [91], [92], [93]. CMC
micellization and aggregation number [52], [94] properties
depend upon temperature. The dissolution of nonpolar substances is related to
the thermodynamic stability of the surfactant solution. High temperature could
be supposed to increase the activity of surfactant on viruses [51], [53], because,
at high temperature, viruses and surfactant plays a reverse role in their
activity. At high temperature, distortion of water molecules with a decrease in
hydrogen bonding further decreases the CMC of the surfactant molecules. This
increases the molecular aggregation number of non-ionic surfactants in aqueous
solution. Larger the hydrophobic chain group, larger the micellar core result
to larger solubilization of nonpolar substances. In the ionic surfactant, the
addition of inorganic salt in aqueous solution decreases the CMC due to a
decrease in electrostatic repulsive forces between the hydrophilic group of
surfactants, increases the dissolution of nonpolar substances in micellar
cores. CMC and interfacial property of surfactants are also affected by the
spacer methylchain length. CMC increases with shorter spacer length up to 4
carbon chain, and remain extended in the air-water
interface. But as the spacer length increases CMC decreases which further makes
the molecule flexible and more hydrophobic. A long length spacer fold at
air-water interface and penetrates easily to the cell membrane of microbes. The
high hydrophobic content makes the Gemini surfactant less biodegrable, but it
can be replaced by the use of amino-acid based Gemini
surfactant up to 60% and sugar substituted Gemini surfactant like
geminialkyldeoxy-D-glucitolammonium salts up to 20-32%. Even with ester bond
containing gemini surfactants are more easily biodegradable.[62], [74], [95], [96], [97] Disinfects for Non-living Materials: To control the airborne
transmission, sanitation of air and non- living materials is necessary.
Sanitation program was first introduced in the early 18’s by Ignaz Semmelweiss
in his Viennese Hospital. He added the role of hand sanitization, surfaces
sanitization, equipment sanitization in laboratory to disinfect of microbial
infection. Further, in the 1860s John Lister introduced the chemical control of
infections. He also popularized the use of phenol as an infection inhibitor. In
1827 and 1894, Use of chlorine and hypochlorites for water treatment was
recommended in England. Disinfectant plays an important role in breaking the
chain of transmission of infectious microbes. Various chemicals like chlorine,
iodine, silver nitrate, phenols, and alcohol were used as chemical
disinfectants for cleaning of skin injuries, wounds, and contaminated surfaces.
In 20th century the foundation of rules and principles was laid on disinfectant
testing and working. Later on, various chemicals as
disinfectants are organized to serve the society in various field [98], [99]. Chemical disinfectants - Chloroxylenol
(4.5-5.5%)/ Benzalkonium Chloride, 1% Sodium hypochlorite, Alcohol, phenol [83] can easily wipe out the settled
particles of COVID- 19 from the environment. Various guidelines have been
implemented to clean the common public areas like indoor, outdoor, and public
toilets. These areas have a fair chance of spreading the Coronavirus. To
control the spread of the virus by contaminated surfaces 1% sodium hypochlorite
solution is used by the cleaners. Guidelines for preparation (volume/volume
solution, weight/volume solution ratio) of 1% sodium hypochlorite solution are,
1 part of sodium hypochlorite - liquid bleach (3.5 % chlorine range) with 2.5
parts of water, 1 part of Sodium hypochlorite-liquid (5% chlorine range) with 4
parts of water, 17 grams of Sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC powder with 60%
chlorine range) in 1 liter of water, 11 NaDCC- tablets( 60% chlorine) to 1
liter water, 80g Chloramine-powder(25% chlorine) to 1 liter of water, 7g of
Bleaching powder(70% chlorine range) to 1 liter water [100]. 70 % alcohol is used to disinfect the metal
surfaces. Various studies have been done by researchers on ozone therapy [101], [102], [103], [104] for bio-disinfectant in various countries.
It is proven that ozone has virucidal properties, and also
acts as a low-cost disinfecting agent, but due to lack of approved standard air
treatment protocol, it is still not strategized to control the virus outbreak.
In 19 century, ozone is already used for the treatment
of drinking water. Ozone therapy also known as ‘medical ozone’ is well known
for curing 114 diseases including cancer, HIV-AIDS, and SARS. The composition
of ozone therapy includes 1-5% ozone and 95-98% oxygen. For sanitization of
air, gaseous disinfectant is more preferred over liquid disinfectant due to
high diffusion rate, high oxidizing power, high penetration power. Also. Ozone
technology is used for cleaning of vegetables and fruits [105], [106] by purifier industries. Aerosolization of
ozone with less concentration requires less time to react with microbes
suspended in air and water. It diffuses more easily to each corner of the
surface and environment. Ozone, the energy-rich molecule reacts with proteins,
protein functional groups, amino acid, a nucleic acid with a much faster rate
than chlorine. The interaction mechanism of ozone inactivates the activity of
various microbes like fungi, bacteria, yeast, viruses including SARS strains
including 2019-nCoV. Like other microbes, coronavirus is enriched in protein
including its spikes and envelope. Ozone kills viruses by oxidizing the
membrane proteins, damaging the virus genetic material. Virus does not replicate
outside the living body. Without active genetic material, the chain of
infection can be ruptured easily within the transmission period. 4. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVEAll
Nations on the globe can stay together to fight with a common enemy, in a coordinated
way. While fighting with the common enemy, we need to develop the vaccine for
common good. The mega pharmaceutical companies shouldn’t
be producing vaccines as asocial business. An increasing demands of personal
care products, detergents, cleaners and industrial—anticorrosion and
biocidal—products, use of surfactants-based product are expected to lead to the
more effective and innovative in future. To restrain the spread of this virus,
Surfactant coated nanoparticles can be used for the treatment of coronavirus.
MERS- CoV, and SARS-CoV is the first outbreak that impacted human loss and
Socio-economic loss. Now, this SARS- CoV-2 also has the same impact on the
earth. Humans should take lessons from past experiences of outbreaks to
overcome the present situation. We all can consider this catastrophe as an
opportunity to make things happen in a magnified way. Let’s
join hands by social distancing, use of masks to fight this pandemic by
whatever means we can. Let not
Corona give us a permanent scar! SOURCES OF FUNDINGThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. CONFLICT OF INTERESTThe author have declared that no competing interests exist. ACKNOWLEDGMENTI would like to acknowledge the WOS-B, KIRAN division, Department of science and technology (DST) for funding the project. REFERENCES [3] Coronavirus Update (Live): https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/(accessed
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