Photophysics and photochemistry of zinc phthalocyanine/bovine serum albumin adducts

Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2009 Feb;8(2):255-63. doi: 10.1039/b815726j. Epub 2009 Jan 5.

Abstract

Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) is a well known Type II (singlet oxygen mediated) hydrophobic photosensitizer with potential use in PDT. We have found that the presence of bovine serum albumin diminishes the aggregation degree of ZnPc in aqueous solution, indicating that albumins could be potentially useful carriers for this type of photosensitizer in PDT. In order to explore the photochemical and photophysical behavior of ZnPc associated to the protein, we have evaluated triplet excited state lifetime and yield, dye bleaching, oxygen consumption, formation of carbonyls and peroxides, and the spontaneous chemiluminescence emitted after photolysis. The results show that dye association to BSA modifies the photophysics and photochemistry of ZnPC. In particular the decreased yield of long lived triplets suggests singlet state and/or static triplet quenching of the bound dye by the host protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Indoles / radiation effects
  • Infrared Rays
  • Isoindoles
  • Photochemistry / methods
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex / chemistry
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex / radiation effects
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry*
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / radiation effects
  • Spectrophotometry
  • Spinacia oleracea / physiology
  • Spinacia oleracea / radiation effects
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Isoindoles
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine
  • phthalocyanine