Inactivation of bacteria via photosensitization of vitamin K3 by UVA light

This study investigated inactivation of bacteria with ultraviolet light A irradiation in combination with vitamin K3 as a photosensitizer. Six bacteria including Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli suspended in vitamin K3 aqueous solution were exposed to ultraviolet light A. Five out of six bacteria, with the exception of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were reduced by eight logs with 1600 μM of vitamin K3 and 5.8 J cm−2 UVA irradiation. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was reduced by four logs under these conditions. Reactive oxygen species including singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion radical were generated in vitamin K3 aqueous solution under UVA irradiation. These results suggest that vitamin K3 and UVA irradiation may be effective for bacterial inactivation in environmental and medical applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Source: FEMS Microbiology Letters - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Research Letter Source Type: research