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Updated: May 6, 2026

Inactivation of Pathogens via Visible-Light Photolysis of Riboflavin-5′-Phosphate
Published on: April 6, 2022
A possible mechanism for the bactericidal effect of visible light
R Lubart1, A Lipovski, Y Nitzan
1Departments of Chemistry and Physics, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel.
Abstract:
Visible light at high intensity was found to kill bacteria while low-power light in the visible and near infrared region enhances bacterial proliferation. The present review summarizes evidence demonstrating that the mechanism of visible light- bacteria interaction involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The ROS are photo induced by bacterial endogenous photosensitizers. Phototoxic effects were found to involve induction of high amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the bacteria while low amounts of ROS may promote their proliferation. Intense blue light, preferably at 415nm, is better than red light for bacteria killing.
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