Virus inactivation by ozone

grantor: University of TorontoOzone is a triatomic allotrope of oxygen. It is a desirable disinfectant because of its high oxidation potential. Its utilization has been primarily in water purification and sewage treatment industries to inactivate particular organic chemical pollutants and contaminating microorganisms. In this study, the parameters of inactivation of representative viruses by ozone were investigated. Ozone was produced in the 2-4 wt% range from oxygen, by corona discharge, using LifeTECH Corporation's Sterinetics™ generator. Ozone decay kinetics in aqueous solution were established at different pH, temperature and starting ozone concentrations. The inactivation of the enveloped virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus strain LA (IBRV) and the non-enveloped virus bovine adenovirus type 3 (BAd3) by defined ozone concentrations under defined conditions was explored. Virus infectivity was assessed by endpoint dilution [TCID50]. At ozone concentrations of 5 [mu]g/ml, BAd3 and IBRV titres were reduced by 3.0-3.1 and 3.3-4.3 logs, respectively. At lower ozone concentrations (0.25-0.5 [mu]g/ml), BAd3 titres were reduced 0.9-2.0 logs whereas IBRV titres were reduced 1.3-2.9 logs. These studies provide a detailed description of virus inactivation by ozone under defined conditions and can serve as a reference for applications of this technology to virus inactivation.M.Sc