Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026
LED-Based In Vitro Screening for Assessing Photoactivable Molecules in Bacterial Photodynamic Inactivation
Published on: January 24, 2025
A Comparative Study on Two Cationic Porphycenes: Photophysical and Antimicrobial Photoinactivation Evaluation
Rubén Ruiz-González1, Montserrat Agut2, Elena Reddi3
1Institut Químic de Sarrià, Universitat Ramon Llull, via Augusta 390, E-08017 Barcelona, Spain. ruben.ruiz@iqs.url.edu.
Abstract:
Over the last decades, the number of pathogenic multi-resistant microorganisms has grown dramatically, which has stimulated the search for novel strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is one of the promising alternatives to conventional treatments based on antibiotics. Here, we present a comparative study of two aryl tricationic porphycenes where photoinactivation efficiency against model pathogenic microorganisms is correlated to the photophysical behavior of the porphycene derivatives. Moreover, the extent of photosensitizer cell binding to bacteria has been assessed by flow cytometry in experiments with, or without, removing the unbound porphycene from the incubation medium. Results show that the peripheral substituent change do not significantly affect the overall behavior for both tricationic compounds neither in terms of photokilling efficiency, nor in terms of binding.
Insights
Two porphycene compounds show similar effectiveness in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against resistant microbes. Modifications to their structure did not significantly alter their cell binding or photoinactivation capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Photochemistry
- Microbiology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Rising antimicrobial resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
- Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) offers a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics.
- Porphycene derivatives are being investigated as photosensitizers for aPDT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the photoinactivation efficiency of two aryl tricationic porphycenes against model pathogenic microorganisms.
- To correlate the photophysical properties of porphycene derivatives with their antimicrobial efficacy.
- To assess the binding extent of photosensitizers to bacterial cells.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of two aryl tricationic porphycenes.
- Assessment of photoinactivation efficiency against model pathogenic microorganisms.
- Flow cytometry used to quantify photosensitizer cell binding to bacteria.
Main Results:
- Peripheral substituent changes in the tricationic porphycenes did not significantly impact their overall behavior.
- Both compounds exhibited similar photokilling efficiency against tested microorganisms.
- No significant difference was observed in the binding of the two porphycene derivatives to bacterial cells.
Conclusions:
- Aryl tricationic porphycenes demonstrate comparable efficacy in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.
- Structural modifications on the periphery of these porphycenes do not substantially alter their antimicrobial performance or cellular uptake.
- These findings contribute to the development of new antimicrobial agents to combat drug-resistant pathogens.
![Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F60786.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
