Researchers at Bar-Ilan University in Israel have developed a technology capable of transforming tap water into a safe and environmentally friendly disinfectant that can kill bacteria and viruses, including those from the coronavirus family.
Located in the city of Ramat Gan, Bar-Ilan University is one of the largest public research universities in Israel.
The authors of this technology are Dr. Eran Avraham, Dr. Izaak Cohen, and Professor Doron Aurbach, who leads the Electrochemistry Group in the Department of Chemistry and the Institute of Nano and Advanced Materials Technology at Bar-Ilan University.
This special technology for producing disinfectant water has since been patented.
By using only tap water and a set of nanoelectrodes with unique surface properties, the researchers have created a superior cleaning agent capable of destroying microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, and spores) while being safe for macroscopic entities (like skin cells) and not contaminating groundwater.
With the ability to produce electrodes in various shapes and textures, this technology enables the creation of a wide range of disinfectant products such as surface disinfectant sprays, disinfectant wipes, masks and antibacterial gloves, handwashing liquids, shoe cleaning solutions, floor cleaners, and solutions for disinfecting air conditioning systems, washing machines, air purifiers, and containers for fresh food such as meat and fish.
Furthermore, products designed to remove chemicals and pesticides from vegetables and fruits can also be produced based on this technology.
According to the researchers, this multi-purpose disinfectant is 100 times more effective than conventional household cleaners. Additionally, the product is safe for the skin and does not cause burns or dryness.
The researchers are currently also exploring the potential of this technology for treating external wounds.
This disinfectant is effective against skin infection-causing pathogens and coronavirus OC43. (Image: Chemistry World).
At the laboratory scale, researchers from the Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences at Bar-Ilan University have demonstrated that the product can combat type 1 herpes simplex virus (HSV) responsible for skin infections and coronavirus OC43 – one of the seven known coronaviruses that infect humans.
According to Professor Ronit Sarid, also from the Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, both viruses are completely eradicated upon contact with the disinfectants within different time frames. Given that the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for Covid-19 shares structural characteristics with the OC43 virus, the disinfectant produced using this technology is believed to have the potential to control this virus, which is currently rampant worldwide.
