An Effective Approach to the Disinfection of Pathogens: Cationic Conjugated Polyelectrolytes and Oligomers

Thesynthetic cationic conjugated polyelectrolytes and oligomershave demonstrated great effectiveness and versatility as antimicrobialmaterials. They have the ability to eliminate or render inactive variouspathogens, including viruses like SARS-CoV-2, bacteria, and fungi.These pathogens can be rapidly eradicated when the polyelectrolytesand oligomers are applied as sprays, wipes, or coatings on solid surfaces.Inactivation of the pathogens occurs through two distinct processes:a non-light-activated process similar to Quats, and a more efficientand faster process that is triggered by light. These materials possessfluorescence and photosensitizing properties, enabling prolonged protectionwhen coated on surfaces. The level of fluorescence exhibited by samplesapplied to nonfluorescent surfaces serves as an indicator of the coating'sintegrity and viability, making it easily detectable. Importantly,these materials demonstrate low toxicity towards mammalian cells andhuman skin, allowing for their safe use. While they can serve as durablecoatings for pathogen protection, extended exposure to visible orultraviolet light leads to their photochemical degradation. Our researchalso suggests that these materials act against pathogens through nonspecificmechanisms, minimizing the likelihood of pathogens developing resistanceand rendering the materials ineffective.