New materials 'catch' flu viruses

A group of scientists has created new materials for masks, air-conditioning filters and air cleaning devices to "catch" viruses that cause influenza, preventing them from entering the eyes, nose, mouth causing infection for humans.

The research results are published in Biomacromolecules Magazine of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

On average each year, the flu kills nearly 300,000 people and makes millions sick worldwide. The continuous occurrence of new strains of drug-resistant viruses and vaccines has led to an urgent need to find ways to combat them.

The team used a substance called chitosan extracted from shrimp shells (a substance commonly used for food preservation), combining it with sialyllactose (SL ), a type of binder made by the hemagglutinin protein ( HA) of the virus secreted so they can attack human cells. Since then the team created SL-chitosan . HA may dissolve in SL-chitosan in water.

New materials will attract viruses that attach to and decontaminate (Photo: phyrsog)

New compound fibers can also be incorporated into materials such as masks, air filters, and anti-virus to infiltrate human cells.

Research results show that this new material acts as a viral adsorbent for flu prevention and control.

The researchers also suggested that using SL-chitosan as a supplement to the series of vaccines, anti-influenza drugs and other measures in the campaign against influenza.