Melanin Adhesivity for Possible Trapping of SARS-CoV-2 on Chin Straps: A Proof-of-concept Assay Using Model Nanoparticles

Abstract

In the frame of COVID-19 pandemic, improved chin straps are obviously necessary to better prevent aerial infection by SARS-CoV-2. Adhesivity of melanins could be applied for trapping virus, but due to present limitations to work with infective agents, we have performed a proof-on-concept assay using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with similar size (about 100 nm) as a virus model. Cotton fabrics were impregnated with allomelanin isolated from black beans, and ZnO solutions filtered through melanin-containing filters. Results and controls showed that these filters retained efficiently the nanoparticles, suggesting that melanin-treated chin straps could be a valuable and effective protection resource to trap virus and avoid infection. .