Catechin Photolysis Suppression by Aluminum Chloride under Alkaline Conditions and Assessment with Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Effects of free radicals from doxycycline hyclate and minocycline hydrochloride under blue light irradiation on the deactivation of Staphylococcus aureus, including a methicillin-resistant strain

Doxycycline hyclate (DCH) and minocycline hydrochloride (MH) are tetracycline antibiotics and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. The changes in DCH and MH under blue light (λ = 462 nm) irradiation in alkaline conditions (BLIA) were investigated. Deactivation caused by superoxide anion radical (O2•-) and deactivation from DCH and MH during photolysis on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), were studied. DCH is relatively unstable compared to MH under BLIA. The level of O2•- generated from the MH-treated photoreaction is lower than that from DCH photolysis, and the DCH-treated photoreaction is more efficient at inactivating S. aureus and MRSA at the same radiant intensity. DCH subjected to BLIA decreased the viability of S. aureus and MRSA by 3.84 and 5.15 log, respectively. Two photolytic products of DCH (PPDs) were generated under BLIA. The mass spectra of the PPDs featured molecular ions at m/z 460.8 and 458.8. The molecular formulas of the PPDs were C21H22N2O10 and C22H24N2O9, and their exact masses were 462.44 and 460.44 g/mol, respectively. These results bolster the photolytic oxidation that leads to DCH-enhanced deactivation of S. aureus and MRSA. Photochemical treatment of DCH could be applied as a supplement in hygienic processes.

A Study of Catechin Photostability Using Photolytic Processing

Catechin exhibits numerous physiological characteristics. In this study, we determined the photosensitivity of catechin to various lights under alkaline conditions, and the mechanisms by which catechin generates free radical species and polymerizes via a photoreaction. In addition to this, the application of catechin photolysis was investigated. A solution of catechin is transparent, but turns yellowish under blue light illumination (BLI) in neutral or weak alkaline solutions. When catechin is subjected to BLI, a dimeric catechin (proanthocyanidin) and a superoxide anion radical (O2•−) are generated in a photolytic reaction. When ascorbic acid or gallic acid is added to catechin and the mixture is subjected to BLI at alkaline pH, fewer catechin dimers and less O2•− are produced, because both acids inhibit the photosensitive oxidation of catechin. When AlCl3 is added to catechin and the mixture is subjected to BLI at pH 8, a photolytic reaction is suppressed by AlCl3, and AlCl3 acts as a catalyst for the disconnection of proanthocyanidin during photolysis. Under alkaline conditions, catechin generates O2•− via photosensitive oxidation, which suppresses the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) by at least 4 logs, and deactivates its multi-drug-resistant strain. This study shows that catechin photolysis is a process of oxidation, and that it can be safely applied as a tool for environmental applications.