Photoinactivation of the ‘ESKAPE’ group pathogens by N-confused meso-tetrakis(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin tetrasodium salt

A polyanionic water-soluble N-confused porphyrin photosensitizer containing four p-sulfonatophenyl groups was synthesized, and its behavior was studied in water and aqueous solutions of the micellar surfactant Tween 80. The antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation study indicated that this photosensitizer efficiently killed Staphylococcus aureus; however, Gram-negative pathogens having an outer lipopolysaccharide membrane were relatively resistant to this compound. The potentiation of photodynamic inactivation by addition of appropriate biocompatible agents increasing permeability of the membrane above was successfully tested and briefly discussed.