Riboflavin Interactions with Oxygen—A Survey from the Photochemical Perspective

Abstract

In this short review we provide some insights to the main processes that riboflavin is involved in upon absorption of a photon. We describe riboflavin properties in its interactions with oxygen, comparing them to the properties of some other singlet oxygen sensitizers. Data are provided on riboflavin photosensitizing properties in vivo and in vitro, and its properties as an endogenous singlet oxygen sensitizer are discussed. We additionally report flavin catalytic role in organic synthesis and photochemical reactivity in solutions of riboflavin and some of its derivatives.

Evaluation of 405‐nm monochromatic light for inactivation of Tulane virus on blueberry surfaces

“…) within the virus may provide an explanation for TV resistance to 405‐nm light. Based on in vitro chemical studies in pure solutions, rose bengal is known to have a higher capacity for producing oxygen singlets than riboflavin (Insińska‐Rak and Sikorski ). This may be a contributing factor to the differential antimicrobial efficacy observed in this study.…”

“…). In chemical analytical studies using in vitro solutions, the singlet oxygen formation potential for rose bengal (0·75) is somewhat higher than that of riboflavin (0·51) (Insińska‐Rak and Sikorski ). However, data on relative response on the surface of food products is lacking.…”

Solvent Effect on the Photolysis of Riboflavin

“…The rate of RF photolysis is affected by solvent polarity probably due to changes in the conformation of the ribityl side chain in different solvents (42). Quenching of flavin excitedtriplet state [ 3 FL] by oxygen during the reaction has been suggested (7,33), and this may affect the rate of photolysis. However, under the present reaction conditions (i.e., solvents in equilibrium with the air), first-order plots are linear for RF solutions photolyzed up to 30%, and the values of k obs are relative to these conditions.…”

Synthesis and electronic properties of π-extended flavins

“…[1][2][3] They play an important role in light, oxygen, and voltage-sensitive (LOV) domains sensitive for blue light excitation. 13,15,16 The local environment, 17 hydrogen bonding, 18,19 π-π stacking 20 or metal coordination 21,22 to the chromophore and the type and position of substituents 23 determine the redox potentials and the photophysical properties of flavin derivatives. 13,15,16 The local environment, 17 hydrogen bonding, 18,19 π-π stacking 20 or metal coordination 21,22 to the chromophore and the type and position of substituents 23 determine the redox potentials and the photophysical properties of flavin derivatives.…”