Photodynamic inactivation of Candida albicans using a synthesized bacteriochlorin as a photosensitizer

摘要

In this study, Candida albicans in its planktonic form, was used as target microorganism. This species frequently appearsin superficial and invasive infections because of its pathogenic potential, and it is becoming highly resistant.Bacteriochlorin was used as a photosensitizer, presenting absorption around 780 nm and low toxicity in the absence oflight. The objective was to evaluate its photodynamic inactivation potential in Candida albicans. The photosensitizer wassynthesized from the extraction of bacteriochlorophylls derived from non-sulfurous purple bacteria and the converted tobacteriochlorin. The inoculum of Candida albicans was grown for 24 hours and adjusted to the concentration of 10~6CFU/mL. The device used for the emission of light was a homemade device with LEDs of 780 nm wavelength. Thequantitative evaluation of viable cells was performed by spread plate in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. The results showed thatthis new bacteriochlorin is not much stable in its absorption peak, being necessary a better chemical characterization toverify its antimicrobial potential.