Inactivation of fungi in vitro by photosensitization: preliminary results.

Abstract

Photosensitization is based on the interaction of 2 completely non-toxic agents--a photosensitizer, accumulated in microorganisms, and visible light. This interaction induces radical-based cytotoxic reactions in the presence of oxygen. The photosensitization phenomenon is widely involved in the treatment of tumors in oncology, in curing arthritis and atherosclerosis. In this work, the possibility to inactivate pathogenic and harmful fungi by photosensitization is shown. A new treatment methodology is proposed on the basis of effective inactivation of the several micromycetes, such as Aspergillus flavus, Trichothecium roseum, Fusarium avenaceum, Rhizopus oryzae, by photosensitization.