The researchers presented their results Aug. 19 at the National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. They say the technique also can be used in treating other microbial infections and possibly cancer.
“Instead of resorting to antibiotics, which no longer work against some bacteria like MRSA, we use photosensitizers, mostly dye molecules, that become excited when illuminated with light,” said researcher Peng Zhang, PhD. “Then, the photosensitizers convert oxygen into reactive oxygen species that attack the bacteria.”
The new nanoparticle photosensitizer, which includes metal nanoparticles, was significantly more effective at wiping out a variety of bacteria than formulations without the metal particles.
Dr. Zhang has a patent related to the design of hybrid photosensitizers, which can be made into a spray or gel. Once the spray becomes a product, medical professionals could put it on any surface and illuminate it with blue or red light to clean away bacteria, including MRSA, Dr. Zhang said.
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