Triphenylphosphonium cation: A valuable functional group for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Light‐mediated killing of pathogens by cationic photosensitisers is a promising antimicrobial approach that avoids the development of resistance inherent to the use of antimicrobials. In this study, we demonstrate that modification of different photosensitisers with the triphenylphosphonium cation yields derivatives with excellent photoantimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria (ie, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis). Thus, the triphenylphosphonium functional group should be considered for the development of photoantimicrobials for the selective killing of Gram‐positive bacteria in the presence of Gram‐negative species.
Antimicrobial resistance is a problem of growing concern as it could put an end to the antibiotic era. Alternatives to antimicrobials are currently being actively sought and photodynamic inactivation emerges as a strong option. In this study, we have assessed the potential of triphenylphosphonium cation as a targeting moiety for photoantimicrobials and show that it endows them with excellent activity against Gram‐positive bacteria.