Bernard Verneuil

Glycosylated cationic porphyrins as potential agents in cancer phototherapy

Abstract New water-soluble cationic porphyrins containing glycosyl group and liphophilic subtituents to improve targeting on malignant cells were synthesized in three steps.

Valorization of maize bran to obtain biodegradable plastic films

Cellulose-enriched residues from maize bran can be transformed into plastic films after esterification of the cellulose by various fatty acid chlorides. Alkali pretreatment and acidic activation of the sample are necessary before the esterification reaction in order to form esters. The degradation by microorganisms of the plastic film was also studied. We showed that the isolated strain (chromobacterium violaceum) can hydrolyze modified cellulose plastic films.

Nitroglycosylated meso-arylporphyrins as photoinhibitors of gram positive bacteria

Novel porphyrins bearing nitro groups and glucosyl moieties were synthesized. The antibacterial activity of these compounds on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus is described. Results reveal that their photocytotoxicity is markedly dependent on the nature, the number and the linking position of the glycosyl moieties and nitro groups controlling their amphiphilic characters.