How to Outwit Lemon Juice Norovirus

Lemon juice could be a safe, sanitary disinfectant against the common pathogens of severe gastrointestinal infections.

From previous observations, researchers know that fruit extracts, such as orange or pomegranate juice, can reduce the infectivity of noroviruses. Because noroviruses can not be propagated in cells in the culture dish or in animals, the researchers used for their experiments no intact pathogens, but so-called "virus-like particles". These empty viral protein capsules have the same surface properties as real viruses.

The scientists showed that the virus particles change their shape after citrate binding. An X-ray analysis showed that the citrate - from lemon juice or from citrate-containing disinfectants - binds exactly at the point with which the virus comes into contact with the body cells during the infection process. The results explain why citrate reduces the infectivity of noroviruses. (Pm)

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