Enveloped virus inactivation in downstream processing with ecofriendly surfactants

Sustainable and effective strategies for virus inactivation are crucial for ensuring the safety and quality of biological products. The EU's 2021 ban on Triton X-100 for viral inactivation in biomanufacturing has pushed the field to find sustainable alternatives with equal effectiveness. This study compares the antiviral efficacy of Triton X-100 to two classes of eco- friendly surfactants: non-ionic glucosides and zwitterionic amine oxides. We investigated the dependence of surfactant-mediated virus inactivation on surfactant characteristics (tail length and head type) and on the addition of salt at different ionic strengths. Additionally, we explored the efficacy of surfactants below their critical micelle concentration (CMC). Ultimately, we aim to advance sustainability by ensuring the effectiveness of surfactant-mediated virus inactivation in biopharmaceutical production.