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Inorganic materials can provide a set of tools to decontaminate solid, liquid or air containing viral particles. The use of disinfectants can be limited or not practical in scenarios where continuous cleaning is not feasible. Physicochemical differences between viruses raise the need for effective formulations for all kind of viruses. In the present work we describe two types of antimicrobial inorganic materials: i) a novel soda-lime glass (G3), and ii) kaolin containing metals nanoparticles (Ag or CuO), as materials to disable virus infectivity. Strong antiviral properties can be observed in G3 glass, and kaolin-containing nanoparticle materials showing a reduction of viral infectivity close to 99%. in the first 10 ​min of contact of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). A potent virucidal activity is also present in G3 and kaolin containing Ag or CuO nanoparticles against all kinds of viruses tested, reducing more than 99% the amount of HSV-1, Adenovirus, VSV, Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 exposed to them. Virucidal properties could be explained by a direct interaction of materials with viruses as well as inactivation by the presence of virucidal elements in the material lixiviates. Kaolin-based materials guarantee a controlled release of active nanoparticles with antiviral activity. Current coronavirus crisis highlights the need for new strategies to remove viruses from contaminated areas. We propose these low-cost inorganic materials as useful disinfecting antivirals in the actual or future pandemic threats.

Xylophagous organisms can cause damage both in forests and in felled wood. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which causes "Sudden Pine Wilting" in coniferous forest masses, and is currently considered a quarantine organism in the European Union. On the other hand, structural and carpentry wood is affected by subterranean termites (Reticulitermes spp.), that cause serious damage, both in buildings and furniture. Solutions for the control of both organisms have been evaluated, and mainly based on chemical or physical treatments. Lately more eco-sustainable biocontrol and/or bioprotection techniques are being investigated. Among these techniques, the modification of the associated microbiota is being studied, in nematode or entomopathogenic microorganisms, with metabolites that are capable of controlling both organisms. As these products are of biological origin they may minimize the environmental impact. The application of these latest techniques requires a deep understanding of the associated microbiota. Therefore, the objective of this work has been to identify the microbiota present in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Reticulitermes grassei, as well as their main enzymatic activities and how they may play important roles in the degradation of wood. The results have shown cellulase, chitinase and protease activities, enzymes that could serve as indicative parameters in the control of both organisms. This study opens future treatment techniques against both pests, within a sustainable bioeconomy.

Inorganic materials can provide a set of tools to decontaminate solid, liquid or air containing viral particles. The use of disinfectants can be limited or not practical in scenarios where continuous cleaning is not feasible. Physicochemical differences between viruses raise the need for effective formulations for all kind of viruses. In the present work we describe two types of antimicrobial inorganic materials: i) a novel soda-lime glass (G3), and ii) kaolin containing metals nanoparticles (Ag or CuO), as materials to disable virus infectivity. Strong antiviral properties can be observed in G3 glass, and kaolin-containing nanoparticle materials showing a reduction of viral infectivity close to 99% in the first 10 ​min of contact of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). A potent virucidal activity is also present in G3 and kaolin containing Ag or CuO nanoparticles against all kinds of viruses tested, reducing more than 99% the amount of HSV-1, Adenovirus, VSV, Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 exposed to them. Virucidal properties could be explained by a direct interaction of materials with viruses as well as inactivation by the presence of virucidal elements in the material lixiviates. Kaolin-based materials guarantee a controlled release of active nanoparticles with antiviral activity. Current coronavirus crisis highlights the need for new strategies to remove viruses from contaminated areas. We propose these low-cost inorganic materials as useful disinfecting antivirals in the actual or future pandemic threats., Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Comunidad de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, European Virus Archive GLOBAL, European Union's Horizon 2020, Universidad San Pablo CEU, Federación Española de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Depto. de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Fac. de Farmacia, TRUE, pub

Inorganic materials can provide a set of tools to decontaminate solid, liquid or air containing viral particles. The use of disinfectants can be limited or not practical in scenarios where continuous cleaning is not feasible. Physicochemical differences between viruses raise the need for effective formulations for all kind of viruses. In the present work we describe two types of antimicrobial inorganic materials: i) a novel soda-lime glass (G3), and ii) kaolin containing metals nanoparticles (Ag or CuO), as materials to disable virus infectivity. Strong antiviral properties can be observed in G3 glass, and kaolin-containing nanoparticle materials showing a reduction of viral infectivity close to 99%. in the first 10 ​min of contact of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). A potent virucidal activity is also present in G3 and kaolin containing Ag or CuO nanoparticles against all kinds of viruses tested, reducing more than 99% the amount of HSV-1, Adenovirus, VSV, Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 exposed to them. Virucidal properties could be explained by a direct interaction of materials with viruses as well as inactivation by the presence of virucidal elements in the material lixiviates. Kaolin-based materials guarantee a controlled release of active nanoparticles with antiviral activity. Current coronavirus crisis highlights the need for new strategies to remove viruses from contaminated areas. We propose these low-cost inorganic materials as useful disinfecting antivirals in the actual or future pandemic threats.

Bursaphelenchusxylophilus, the pine wilt nematode (PWN), is a quarantine organism with a high potential to damage conifer forests in Europe. This has driven the European Union to protect forest stands from the propagation and dispersion of this pathogen. However, the current control measures have been unsuccessful in preventing the dispersion of this organism, as it continues to be detected in wood material through commercial trade. Timber is a material treated with specific products against wood decay organisms, and is now, additionally submitted to thermo-treatment in accordance with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM-15) to control PWN. The industrial sector is concerned whether this treatment is sufficient and the current anti-decay wood treatments are effective against this nematode. For this reason, the objective of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of the permitted wood products against B.xylophilus in blue-stained and non-stained green and dry wood in Pinus pinaster Ait, the most sensitive Pinus species. The results show that the anti-sapstain products tested are effective against PWN in green sound wood, but they do not present the same protective behavior in blue-stained wood. The results for other products employed on dry wood (stained and non-stained) show that almost all of them are effective against this nematode. In consequence, timber protected by means of commercialized wood preservatives might be a good way to control PWN in the wood industry, even being a valid alternative and in some situations preventing the application of ISPM-15. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.