Compositions and methods for prion decontamination
View Patent ↗The invention relates to compositions and methods for prion degradation, decontamination or disinfection. The composition comprises an oxidizing agent, one or more proteases and a surfactant such as an ionic surfactant/detergent. The method comprises contacting a prion contaminated entity with a prion-degrading composition comprising an effective amount of an oxidizing agent, an effective amount of at least one protease, and an effective amount of a surfactant. The components of the composition may be contacted with a prion-contaminated entity sequentially or simultaneously using an aqueous composition. Typically at least two different proteases are used for optimal efficacy. Preferably the oxidizing agent comprises peracetyl ions or a source thereof. The invention also relates to kits comprising the various reagents.
1. A method for degrading prions on a prion-contaminated surface comprising contacting the prion-contaminated surface with a prion-degrading composition comprising:
(a) a non-enzymatic peroxygen-generating component:
(i) perborate or percarbonate; and
(ii) tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) or N-acetyl caprolactam;
(b) at least one protease; and
(c) at least one surfactant;
wherein the contacting is performed under suitable conditions and a period of time sufficient to degrade the prions on the prion-contaminated surface.
2. The method for degrading prions on a prion-contaminated surface of any of claim 1 , wherein the at least one protease comprises Neutrase isolated from Bacillus amyloliquifaciens or Alcalase isolated from Bacillus licheniformis.
3. The method for degrading prions on a prion-contaminated surface of any of claim 1 , wherein the at least one surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate.