About This Project

The two common factors that change the shape of proteins are pH and temperature. Can a hand covered with a thin layer of suspended baking soda function as a contact virucidal? If successful, will the same method kill COVID-19 on contact? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16540196

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

For many years I looked for a more effective deodorant. After many experiments, I found sliced lemons used as a deodorant result in no detectable armpit fragrance. I assume the acid in the juice denatured the bacterial proteins producing armpit odor. One problem doing this is lemons have to be sliced every morning, purchased regularly, and have a limited shelf life. Recalling from biochemistry that pH radically alters the shape of meta-stable proteins I though of trying baking soda and found that one dry application every 5 days results in the complete lack of odor. With COVID-19 and the use of PPE gloves I wondered if a cheaper, less overt solution to hand cleanliness might use the same process, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16540196

What is the significance of this project?

Could make cheap, effective, hand sanitation against COVID-19 available to billions.

What are the goals of the project?

Initial experiments proved successful (single transfer killing of live bacteria). I will begin this next experimental series if I find there is sufficient interest. Determine viability of strains of bacteria (place bacteria in growth media and monitor) cover clean neutral pH surface with live, water suspended, bacteria (like a sneeze or cough would supply). Apply high pH hand cover material to hands. touch infected surface and then touch growth media. Repeat step 4 several times over several hours. Monitor growth of bacteria. If successful, perform another series of experiments using live virus.