Tandem g-C3N4/Lactoperoxidase Systems Efficiently Generate Cytotoxic Reactive Halogen Species and Exhibit Enhanced Bactericidal and Fungicidal Activity
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. John Thurston, College of Idaho
Presentation Date
7-15-2026
Abstract
There is a continuing need to develop novel strategies for combatting pathogenic microorganisms due to the persistent emergence of strains that are resistant to conventional antibacterial and antifungal therapies. The metal-free semiconductor graphitic carbon nitride (g-C_3N_4) is an attractive target for the development of such technologies due to its’ ability to efficiently convert elemental oxygen into a variety of potentially cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2). Unfortunately, many clinically relevant microbial strains possess effective defense strategies that mitigate the effects of ROS. In an effort to extend the utility of g-C_3N_4-based materials for biocidal applications, we have explored the formation of a tandem system that couples the established ROS production capability of g-C3N4 with a secondary, enzyme-mediated halogenation step to generate a variety of reactive halogen species (RHS). The chemistry of this tandem g-C_3N_4/peroxidase system is intended to directly mimic the oxidative burst exhibited by the mammalian immune response. The activity of the RHS products generated by the tandem g-C_3N_4/peroxidase system against a panel of medically significant microorganisms has been assessed.
Tandem g-C3N4/Lactoperoxidase Systems Efficiently Generate Cytotoxic Reactive Halogen Species and Exhibit Enhanced Bactericidal and Fungicidal Activity
There is a continuing need to develop novel strategies for combatting pathogenic microorganisms due to the persistent emergence of strains that are resistant to conventional antibacterial and antifungal therapies. The metal-free semiconductor graphitic carbon nitride (g-C_3N_4) is an attractive target for the development of such technologies due to its’ ability to efficiently convert elemental oxygen into a variety of potentially cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2). Unfortunately, many clinically relevant microbial strains possess effective defense strategies that mitigate the effects of ROS. In an effort to extend the utility of g-C_3N_4-based materials for biocidal applications, we have explored the formation of a tandem system that couples the established ROS production capability of g-C3N4 with a secondary, enzyme-mediated halogenation step to generate a variety of reactive halogen species (RHS). The chemistry of this tandem g-C_3N_4/peroxidase system is intended to directly mimic the oxidative burst exhibited by the mammalian immune response. The activity of the RHS products generated by the tandem g-C_3N_4/peroxidase system against a panel of medically significant microorganisms has been assessed.