LASU: An efficient and stable phthalocyanine dye with tolerable safety profile for self-disinfecting anti-COVID textiles activated by ambient light

Background: Recent COVID crisis has demonstrated that modern society urgently needs an accessible protection against mass infections, especially viruses, as the new strains are appearing at an ever-increasing pace and cause severe harm to the population and the world economy. Methods: We have developed an efficient phthalocyanine photosensitizer LASU, that is suitable for dyeing textiles and allows to prepare reusable self-disinfecting fabrics with strong antiviral properties. The safety profile of LASU was evaluated in accredited laboratories by several in vitro assays according to the OECD-guidelines. Results: The textiles impregnated with LASU phthalocyanine showed a significant antiviral photodynamic effect even under moderate indoor and outdoor light. The dye did not show any genotoxic potential in human lymphocyte micronucleus assay. It showed a possible indication for eye irritation in human EpiOcularTM model and was phototoxic when tested in mouse BALB/c 3T3 cell test in the presence and absence of UVA-irradiation. Conclusion: Novel phthalocyanine-dyed textiles are suitable for general use as self-disinfecting antiviral barriers and materials in hospitals, households, and public places. The safety profile of LASU is the phototoxic effect which is related to LASU ' s mode of action.