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Main Authors: Deshmukh, Pratik, Ahuja, Nandini, Sharma, Bhumika, Sahu, Khageswar, Satapathy, Srinibas, Majumder, Shovan Kumar
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.26557
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author Deshmukh, Pratik
Ahuja, Nandini
Sharma, Bhumika
Sahu, Khageswar
Satapathy, Srinibas
Majumder, Shovan Kumar
author_facet Deshmukh, Pratik
Ahuja, Nandini
Sharma, Bhumika
Sahu, Khageswar
Satapathy, Srinibas
Majumder, Shovan Kumar
contents Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising modality for inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria, relying on the activation of a photosensitizer (PS) by light of a specific wavelength. This process results in the formation of reactive oxygen species, which ultimately induce cell death. However, aPDT in its conventional form, is limited by the shallow penetration of visible light, restricting its effectiveness for treatment of soft tissue and orthopaedic tissues. To overcome this limitation, near-infrared (NIR) absorbing PS can be used. However, poor stability in vivo after injection, ineffective microbial targeting due to hydrophilic nature and off-site tissue damage are the issues with use of NIR absorbing bare PSs. This issue can be mitigated by combining NIR light with a upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs), which mediate in conversion of NIR into visible light for effective PS activation. In this study, LaF$_3$:Er$^{3+}$,Yb$^{3+}$ nanoparticles were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and coated with Rose Bengal (RB), a promising hydrophilic PS for aPDT, to evaluate the potential for NIR-triggered aPDT. Characterization of the synthesized UCNPs confirmed the crystalline structure, size distribution and successful RB functionalization. Photophysical studies demonstrated efficient energy transfer between UCNPs and RB, leading to singlet oxygen ($^1$O$_2$) generation in vitro. Antibacterial studies against Methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a superbug of implicated soft tissue and orthopaedic infections, revealed significant photo-bactericidal efficacy upon NIR irradiation, indicating the potential of RB-coated UCNPs for aPDT applications.
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institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Near-Infrared-Triggered Photodynamic Antibacterial Therapy Using Rose Bengal-Coated Upconverting Nanoparticles
Deshmukh, Pratik
Ahuja, Nandini
Sharma, Bhumika
Sahu, Khageswar
Satapathy, Srinibas
Majumder, Shovan Kumar
Materials Science
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Biological Physics
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising modality for inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacteria, relying on the activation of a photosensitizer (PS) by light of a specific wavelength. This process results in the formation of reactive oxygen species, which ultimately induce cell death. However, aPDT in its conventional form, is limited by the shallow penetration of visible light, restricting its effectiveness for treatment of soft tissue and orthopaedic tissues. To overcome this limitation, near-infrared (NIR) absorbing PS can be used. However, poor stability in vivo after injection, ineffective microbial targeting due to hydrophilic nature and off-site tissue damage are the issues with use of NIR absorbing bare PSs. This issue can be mitigated by combining NIR light with a upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs), which mediate in conversion of NIR into visible light for effective PS activation. In this study, LaF$_3$:Er$^{3+}$,Yb$^{3+}$ nanoparticles were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and coated with Rose Bengal (RB), a promising hydrophilic PS for aPDT, to evaluate the potential for NIR-triggered aPDT. Characterization of the synthesized UCNPs confirmed the crystalline structure, size distribution and successful RB functionalization. Photophysical studies demonstrated efficient energy transfer between UCNPs and RB, leading to singlet oxygen ($^1$O$_2$) generation in vitro. Antibacterial studies against Methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a superbug of implicated soft tissue and orthopaedic infections, revealed significant photo-bactericidal efficacy upon NIR irradiation, indicating the potential of RB-coated UCNPs for aPDT applications.
title Near-Infrared-Triggered Photodynamic Antibacterial Therapy Using Rose Bengal-Coated Upconverting Nanoparticles
topic Materials Science
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Biological Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.26557