Research Award Recognizes Antiviral Activity on Packaging and Surfaces

Research that could be used for screening and developing new detergents based on biomimetic membranes has been recognized as the best paper published in 2022 in the Journal of Surfactants and Detergents.  

 

The authors were recognized during the 2023 American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) Annual Meeting, held April 30 – May 3 in Denver, Colorado.  

 

The Distinguished Paper Award is an annual honor presented by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI).  

 

The authors of the research include Ronald Marquez, Jacob Zwilling, Franklin Zambrano, Richard Venditti, Hasan Jameel, Ronalds Gonzalez, all from Tissue Pack Innovation Lab, Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University; Laura Tolosa, School of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela; Maria E. Marquez, Laboratory of Parasite Enzymology, Department of Biology, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela. 

 

“We are thrilled to be presented with this award,” said Ronalds Gonzalez and Hasan Jameel, both from Tissue Pack Innovation Lab, Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University. “We are very proud of the article we published and are grateful that our work is being recognized and honored.”  

 

Until recently, food packaging has been used as a barrier to unfavorable environmental and microbial conditions, but new technologies are arising aimed at upgrading the protective nature of these materials. Cases of bacterial and viral transmission through food and surfaces have shown the vulnerabilities of the food packaging distribution systems over the years, creating awareness about new methods to prevent the proliferation of pathogens.  

 

The article focuses on biobased technologies tailored for antiviral applications on surfaces, focusing on packaging materials. The research presents a survey of essential oils (EOs) and nanoparticles that have been proven effective in reducing the transmission of viruses through surfaces.  

 

Additionally, research reviews the use of essential oil formulations or nanoparticle-functionalized biobased materials that can be deployed to prevent virus transmission through food produce and surfaces, including environmental and safety concerns around the use of metal nanoparticles and EOs in packaging materials.  

 

The research also includes an assessment of the available technologies, challenges, opportunities and the potential role of biobased antiviral surfaces in future viral outbreaks.