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Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Inactivation of Pathogens via Visible-Light Photolysis of Riboflavin-5′-Phosphate
Published on: April 6, 2022
Riboflavin interactions with oxygen-a survey from the photochemical perspective
Małgorzata Insińska-Rak1, Marek Sikorski
1Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Umultowska 89b, 61-614 Poznań (Poland), Fax: (+48) 61 829 1555. inka@amu.edu.pl.
Abstract:
In this short review we provide some insights to the main processes that riboflavin is involved in upon absorption of a photon. We describe riboflavin properties in its interactions with oxygen, comparing them to the properties of some other singlet oxygen sensitizers. Data are provided on riboflavin photosensitizing properties in vivo and in vitro, and its properties as an endogenous singlet oxygen sensitizer are discussed. We additionally report flavin catalytic role in organic synthesis and photochemical reactivity in solutions of riboflavin and some of its derivatives.
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