Rapid method to make OP detoxifying sponges composed of multiple immobilized enzymes of cholinesterases and OP hydrolases and oximes as reactivators

Abstract

A material comprising a porous support and a plurality of enzymes for the removal, decontamination or neutralization of hazardous chemicals such as OP compounds is disclosed. The material may be used on a variety of surfaces, including natural, synthetic and biological surfaces such as skin and other delicate membranes. Also disclosed is a process of making the material, kits and various methods and reactivation devices for reactivating the enzymatic activity of the material.

1 . A polymeric sponge or foam for the removal, decontamination, detoxification and/or neutralization of a hazardous compound comprising a plurality of enzymes immobilized on a polymeric porous support, said plurality capable of detoxifying organophosphorous and/or organosulfur compounds.  
     
     
         2 . The polymeric sponge or foam of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of enzymes comprises at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of: acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), triesterase, pseudocholinesterase, organophosphate hydrolase (OPH), phosphotriesterase, paraoxonase and OP hydrolyzing enzymes.  
     
     
         3 . The polymeric sponge or foam of  claim 1  wherein said porous support comprises polyurethane.  
     
     
         4 . The polymeric sponge or foam of  claim 1  further comprising carbon embedded or integrated on or in the porous support.  
     
     
         5 . The polymeric sponge or foam of  claim 1  further comprising a reactivation compound, material or device embedded or integrated on or in or attached to the porous support.  
     
     
         6 . The polymeric sponge or foam of  claim 5  wherein said reactivation compound, material or device comprises HI-6, TMB4, or mono-bisquaternary oximes.  
     
     
         7 . A method of making a polymeric sponge or foam for the removal, decontamination, detoxification and/or neutralization of a hazardous compound comprising immobilizing a plurality of enzymes immobilized on a polymeric porous support, said plurality capable of detoxifying organophosphorous and/or organosulfur compounds.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of enzymes comprises at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of: acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), triesterase, pseudocholinesterase, organophosphate hydrolase (OPH), phosphotriesterase, paraoxonase and OP hydrolyzing enzymes.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of immobilizing comprises mixing said mixture with a polyurethane prepolymer.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said polyurethane prepolymer comprises a diisocyanate.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the diisocyanate is tolyl diisocyanate.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein equal parts of said plurality and said polyurethane prepolymer are simultaneously mixed.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of mixing is conducted with an apparatus having a first chamber and a second chamber.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said first chamber contains said plurality and said second chamber contains a polyurethane prepolymer.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said mixing comprises extruding equal parts of said plurality and said polyurethane prepolymer rapidly and evenly through a static mixing stator.  
     
     
         16 . A polymeric sponge or foam for the removal, decontamination, detoxification and/or neutralization of a hazardous compound made by the method of any one of claims  7 - 15 .  
     
     
         17 . A method of reactivating a polymeric sponge or foam of  claim 1  comprising contacting said polymeric sponge or foam with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: HI-6, TMB4, and mono-bisquarternary oximes.  
     
     
         18 . A method for treating a contaminated surface comprising, 
 contacting the surface with the sponge of  claim 1  to detoxifying organophosphorous and/or organosulfur compounds present on the surface.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising contacting the sponge with an oxime.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the oxime is HI-6 or 2-PAM.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the sponge additionally contains activated carbon and/or resin.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the sponge contains activated carbon.  
     
     
         23 . A kit for the removal, decontamination, detoxification and/or neutralization of a hazardous chemical comprising a polymeric sponge or foam of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         24 . A kit according to  claim 23  further comprises a compound for the reactivation of enzyme in an amount sufficient to displace covalently attached organophosphorous compounds from the enzyme active site by nucleophilic attack.