Current Affairs

Issue

A plant-based chewing gum has been developed by researchers that has potential to reduce Covid-19 transmission.

Background

The chewing gum contains a plant-based protein that traps virus within it and prevents transmission.

Details

• The chewing gum when chewed in mouth reduces viral load in saliva, preventing the transmission of virus from one person to another.

• In the current situation, the chewing gum targets virus that is present in mouth, which can be transmitted during talking or eating.

• The gum traps virus with ACE2 protein. The ACE2 protein is the place where virus latches onto before entering the human body.

Idea behind the invention

• Researchers were working on developing a chewing gum containing plant-grown proteins to disrupt dental plaque. 

• They wondered if such a gum would be infused with plant-grown ACE2 that could neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in the oral cavity.

The end product

• Researchers grew ACE2 protein in plants, paired with another compound and finally prepared cinnamon-flavored gums out of it.

• The end product when exposed to samples of nasopharyngeal swabs containing SARS-CoV-2 showed that the gum was effective in reducing viral load.