Porphyrinoid macrocycles as potential photosensitizers for photodynamic inhibition of biofilm formation in household water storage systems

• Published in: International journal of environmental science and technology (Tehran) 2024-09
• Main Authors: Malomane, N., Mlambo, M., Kuvarega, A. T., Moutloali, R. M., Managa, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1735-1472; 1735-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s13762-024-06065-x

The issue of biofilm formation by microorganisms in household water storage systems is a problem that lowers the efficiency of disinfectants. Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) is a potential alternative to the current water disinfection methods. It employs a photosensitizer agent that inactivates microbes by absorbing light of a specific wavelength in the presence of molecular oxygen. Although aPDI has been proven in literature to have a wide spectrum of action, effective against resistant microbes and biofilms, it has not been approved for real-life applications yet. Therefore, there is an ongoing search for ideal photosensitizers that can produce sufficient reactive oxygen species for efficient inactivation of microbes and disruption of biofilms in household water storage systems. This review summarises the developments that have been made so far with porphyrin-, expanded porphyrin-, corrole-, and boron dipyrromethene-based photosensitizers. First, the issues with the current water disinfection methods are described, and then aPDI is also described as a possible alternative to the current methods. Emphasis is put on the antimicrobial activities and the solid support materials that the porphyrinoid family members have been incorporated into for potential application in the disinfection of household water and limitation of biofilm formation in water storage systems.