The effects of the microenvironment on nerve agent degradation activity of encapsulated Phosphotriesterase in hybrid material textile coatings

Project Description

Organophosphate nerve agents are the most toxic chemicals known with no rapid, effective, and sustainable decontamination countermeasure available. Enzyme-based solutions with Phosphotriesterase (PTE) have demonstrated rapid and effective neutralization of nerve agents, but PTE has several stability liabilities that limit its practical application. Thus, encapsulation of PTE in a host material matrix can circumvent this and provide a more sustainable, yet effective approach for nerve agent decontamination when the material and enzyme microenvironment are optimized. We utilize a silica material matrix combined with various additives to effectively encapsulate PTE while optimizing the surrounding enzyme microenvironment to increase enzyme stability and activity. Furthermore, we apply this material as a coating on textiles to create a novel, sustainable preemptive decontamination countermeasure as a new form of personal protective equipment for service members and first responders.

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