Mechanisms underlying inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a serious global issue. To prevent viral transmission, it is important to disinfect contaminated environmental surfaces and aerosols. We previously demonstrated that nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles (NEAWPs) inactivate SARS-CoV-2. Herein, we focused on the underlying mechanisms. Morphological observation by transmission electron microscopy revealed that compared with NEAWPs-untreated virus, the shapes of particles corresponding to the size of SARS-CoV-2 particles were distorted significantly when exposed to NEAWPs. The amounts of viral RNA and protein in NEAWPs-treated SARS-CoV-2 showed a significantly greater decline than those in viruses unexposed to NEAWPs. Furthermore, much less NEAWPs-treated SARS-CoV-2 than NEAWPs-untreated virus bound to host cells. These results strongly suggest that NEAWPs damage the viral envelope, as well as viral protein and RNA, thereby impairing the ability of the virus to bind to host cells. Reactive oxygen species in NEAWPs may be involved in the inactivating effects on SARS-CoV-2. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11051-022-05485-5.