A scientific study carried out by a research team including academic experts from UQU Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy extracted a harmless plant substance that can be used in eliminating the coronavirus family, including COVID-19, and in disinfecting solid surfaces, objects and floors against pathogenic viruses and microbes in only 30 seconds.

The study was conducted in the laboratories of the Department of Microbiology at the UQU College of Medicine, lasted up to six years, and was approved by the BIOSCIENCE LABORATORIES INC., one of the prominent USA laboratories in the field of coronaviruses which is recognized by the Food and Drug Administration in USA. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of the extracted plant substance in eliminating coronavirus and similar viruses with zero toxicity rate in all cells included in the study sample; it proved that the substance is safe, harmless, and free of side effects on living cells.

The Head of the Research Team, Dr. Sami Ashqar, said that a patent application was filed to register the substance in the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. He pointed out that the plant substance has proved to be effective in eliminating the spread of viruses and stubborn bacteria or antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as the main cause of deadly hospital infections such as CRPA or MRSA. The study results also revealed the effectiveness of the substance in disinfecting floors and solid surfaces, including tables, doors, and windows, in addition to reducing infection when humans come into contact with the objects.

The scientific team included Dr. Hamdi Al-Sayyid and Dr. Abdullah Ahmad, as well as the researchers: Mr. Abdullah Abyad, Mr. Asim Abdul-Shakour, Mr. Muhammad Al-Thaqafi, from the Department of Microbiology, and Dr. Ammar Badr, from the Department of Pharmacognosy at the UQU College of Pharmacy.

Dr. Ashqar said the university always endeavors to take the lead in consolidating the concept of the knowledge economy by making use of scientific research and innovation in providing products serving the local and international communities and in opening new prospects for investment and diversification in the sources of income.

The research project was able to develop the effective plant substance to be used in manufacturing eco-friendly biological products with zero side effects on human health, including: general disinfectants for surfaces, floor cleaning solutions, hand soaps, and other products in the manufacturing phase. He added that the products were registered as trademarks under the name 'Bactil' for the Bactik Company, one of the startups of Wadi Makkah Technology Company, the investment arm of UQU.

Moreover, Dr. Ashqar said they had already started launching the product at the local level, and that Wadi Makkah Company had addressed many governmental parties, including ministries and commissions, to cooperate in reducing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic via qualitative partnerships.