Madalena F. C. Silva

Madalena F. C. Silva

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Madalena F. C. Silva

CQC-IMS, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-535, Coimbra, Portugal

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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14 August 2025 in Journal of Materials Chemistry B
Verified
Journal Article
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CDCarolina V. Domingos
Carolina V. Domingos
MSMadalena F. C. Silva
Madalena F. C. Silva
MEM. Ermelinda S. Eusébio
M. Ermelinda S. Eusébio
TMTeresa M. R. Maria
Teresa M. R. Maria
JPJoão Pires
João Pires
Mariette PereiraMariette Pereira
Mariette Pereira
The global rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria highlights the urgent need for alternative strategies to prevent their spread, particularly in healthcare environments. Here, we report the synthesis and evaluation of a novel mono-cationic meso-imidazolyl porphyrin (3) and its integration into biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films, resulting in potentially effective, reusable, and broad-spectrum photodynamic antibacterial surfaces. The porphyrin was prepared using a mixed aldehyde condensation followed by microwave-assisted methylation, reducing reaction time to just 1 minute with near-quantitative yield. PLA films containing porphyrin 3 (+PLA-3) were successfully prepared and fully characterized, showing exceptional photostability and minimal leaching in aqueous environments, even under prolonged light exposure. Notably, cationic +PLA-3 exhibited superior material stability compared to analogous PLA films incorporating tetra-cationic porphyrins, attributed to the improved amphiphilic balance of the mono-cationic photosensitizer. Antibacterial studies confirmed that cationic +PLA-3 films achieved complete photodynamic inactivation (7 log CFU reduction) of both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria under blue LED irradiation. They also demonstrated great effectiveness against clinical multidrug-resistant strains, including MRSA, E. coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, achieving total inactivation under light doses up to 23.5 J/cm2. Reusability tests confirmed full retention of antibacterial efficacy after up to 11 irradiation cycles, totaling 258.5 J/cm2. These results position cationic +PLA-3 as a promising candidate for use in self-disinfecting surfaces with potential to reduce nosocomial infection risks and environmental impact in healthcare settings.