Light-induced antimicrobial activities of porphyrin derivatives as photosensitizers

Abstract

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy has considerable promise in the fight against bacterial infections. The superior photophysical characteristics of porphyrins have made them effective photosensitizers in the field of phototherapy. Herein, the light-induced antimicrobial effects of three porphyrins with different substituents have been compared. 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin (THPP) shows superior photosensitizing activity and antimicrobial ability under irradiation with green light. THPP can also inhibit and destroy mature Staphylococcus aureus biofilms under irradiation. This work provides a reference for the rational design of photosensitizers for application in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.