2024-08-27
Exploring whether Benzalkonium Chloride could be effective against SARS-CoV-2
Quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats) are membrane-active agents well known for their efficacy against bacteria, fungi, algae, and enveloped viruses. A popular example is Benzalkonium Chloride (BKC), an antiseptic ingredient often formulated in topical, ophthalmic, nasal and oral preparations.By deactivating viruses through the disruption of lipid membranes, BKC is effective against a long list of enveloped viruses, including enteroviruses, rotaviruses, norovirus, influenza virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), rhinovirus, chlamydia, herpes simplex and hepatitis A.