Photodynamic inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus using low symmetrically substituted phthalocyanines supported on a polystyrene polymer fiber

This work reports on the antimicrobial photo-activities of a series of low symmetrically substituted phthalocyanine complexes in solution and in a fiber matrix. Phthalocyanine complexes were successfully electrospun into a polystyrene polymer. The fiber diameter ranged from 240 nm to 390 nm in average. The modified polymer fiber showed successful singlet oxygen production with the Ge monocarboxy phthalocyanine modified fiber giving the highest singlet oxygen quantum yield value of 0.46 due to lack of aggregation when in the polymer. All the unsymmetrically substituted complexes showed antimicrobial activity towards S. Aureus under illumination with visible light. The symmetrical ZnPc and ZnTPCPc showed no activity under illumination with light in the fiber matrix due to low singlet oxygen production.

Graphical abstractPhthalocyanine complexes were electrospun into a polystyrene polymer. The modified polymer fiber showed successful singlet oxygen production antimicrobial activity towards S. Aureus in solution under illumination with visible light.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Phthalocyanine complexes were successfully electrospun into a polystyrene polymer. ► The modified polymer fiber showed successful singlet oxygen production. ► All the unsymmetrical complexes showed antimicrobial activity towards S. Aureus. ► No activity was observed for the symmetrical complexes.