The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the demand for antiviral technologies such as photocatalytic coatings and air purifiers, which are capable of inactivating SARS-CoV-2. While these materials are effective due to their strong oxidizing properties, evaluating their antiviral performance is typically time-consuming and resource-intensive—particularly when testing multiple materials or conditions.

To streamline this process, a recent study proposes using the acetaldehyde decomposition test—a standard method for assessing air purification efficiency—as a screening tool for antiviral activity. This method measures the rate at which a photocatalyst breaks down acetaldehyde in air. The concentration decrease over time follows an exponential pattern, similar to the reduction in viral infectivity during antiviral testing.

The key metric is the slope of the regression line derived from acetaldehyde concentration data. When this method was applied alongside traditional antiviral tests, a correlation was observed between the two sets of results. This indicates that acetaldehyde decomposition can serve as a proxy for antiviral performance in preliminary evaluations.

This approach allows researchers to quickly screen multiple samples and conditions, identifying promising materials for further antiviral testing. It supports a more efficient “selection and concentration” strategy during product development.

Although the WHO ended the COVID-19 public health emergency in May 2023, cases and fatalities continue to be reported. In the context of ongoing infection control needs, efficient testing methods remain essential for advancing antiviral technologies.

For more information about this topic, you can view our online entry entitled "Estimating Anti-Viral Performance of Photocatalytic Materials"

Or you can view the original paper entitled "Estimating the Anti-Viral Performance of Photocatalytic Materials: The Correlation between Air Purification Efficiency and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Inactivation".