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Updated: Oct 31, 2025

Inactivation of Pathogens via Visible-Light Photolysis of Riboflavin-5′-Phosphate
Published on: April 6, 2022
Riboflavin Surface Modification of Poly(vinyl chloride) for Light-Triggered Control of Bacterial Biofilm and Virus
Marcelo Munoz1, Antony El-Khoury1, Cagla Eren Cimenci1,2
1BEaTS Research, Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y4W7, Canada.
Abstract:
Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is the most used biomedical polymer worldwide. PVC is a stable and chemically inert polymer. However, microorganisms can colonize PVC producing biomedical device-associated infections. While surface modifications of PVC can help improve the antimicrobial and antiviral properties, the chemically inert nature of PVC makes those modifications challenging and potentially toxic. In this work, we modified the PVC surface using a derivative riboflavin molecule that was chemically tethered to a plasma-treated PVC surface. Upon a low dosage of blue light, the riboflavin tethered to the PVC surface became photochemically activated, allowing for Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial biofilm and lentiviral in situ eradication.
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