Lumichrome (Lc) is a photodegradation product of riboflavin. It is more photostable and a more efficient photogenerator of singlet oxygen than riboflavin. Lc absorbs mainly in the UVA range. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are reported to be very efficient solubility enhancers of Lc in aqueous solutions. A 1:1 inclusion complex has been predicted between Lc and α and βCDs (Terekhova, Kumeev et al. 2011). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of CDs on solubility and on the bacterial phototoxicity of Lc in vitro.

Curcumin, bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, is a yellow-orange pigment which can be synthesised chemically or isolated from the plant Curcuma longa L. Curcumin has a rather broad absorption peak in the range 300-500 nm (maximum approximately 430 nm) and has potential as a photosensitiser for treatment of localised superficial infections in e.g., the mouth or skin.