Synthesis and bactericidal properties of porphyrins immobilized in a polyacrylamide support: influence of metal complexation on photoactivity.

Spectroscopic and photodynamic properties of three novel polymeric hydrogels bearing porphyrins have been studied in vitro on the recombinant bioluminescent Gram-negative Escherichia coli DH5α to assess their ability to inactivate bacterial strains in solution. The three different hydrogels were formed by polymerization of 5-[4-2-(2-(2-acrylamidoethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl]carboxyphenyl-10,15,20-tris(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin trichloride (5) and its complexes with Pd(ii) (6) and Cu(ii) (7) respectively, to form three optically transparent polyacrylamide hydrogels. All of the porphyrins are tricationic and they bear at the meso positions three N-methylpyridyl rings and one terminal acryloyl group connected through a flexible hydrophilic linker, particularly suitable for the later polymerization and incorporation into a hydrogel.

Immobilized photosensitizers for antimicrobial applications.

Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) is a very promising alternative to conventional antibiotics for the efficient inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms; this is due to the fact that it is virtually impossible for resistant strains to develop due to the mode of action employed. PACT employs a photosensitizer, which preferentially associates with the microorganism, and is then activated with non-thermal visible light of appropriate wavelength(s) to generate high localized concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inactivating the microorganism. The concept of using photosensitizers immobilized on a surface for this purpose is intended to address a range of economic, ecological and public health issues.