Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for treating fluids to inactivate microorganisms which may be present therein, said fluid containing one or more components selected from the group consisting of protein, blood and blood constituents are provided. The methods comprise adjusting the percentage of plasma in said fluid to a desired value; mixing an inactivation-effective, substantially non-toxic amount of an endogenous photosensitizer or endogenously-based derivative photosensitizer to said fluid; exposing said fluid to photoradiation of sufficient wavelength and energy to activate the photosensitizer, whereby said microorganisms are inactivated.

Abstract: Methods are provided for neutralization of microorganisms in fluids or on surfaces. Preferably the fluids contain blood or blood products and comprise biologically active proteins. Preferred methods include the steps of adding an activation-effective amount of a microorganism neutralizer with an isoalloxazine backbone to a fluid and exposing the fluid to a triggering event. Preferred triggering events include light of a suitable wavelength and intensity to activate the microorganism neutralizer or a pH sufficient to activate the microorganism neutralizer. Other fluids, including juices, water and the like, may also be decontaminated by these methods as may surfaces of foods, animal carcasses, wounds, food preparation surfaces and bathing and washing vessel surfaces. Compounds with an isoalloxazine backbone are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for inactivation of microorganisms in fluids or on surfaces. Preferably the fluids contain blood or blood products and comprise biologically active proteins. Preferred methods include the steps of adding an effective, non-toxic amount of an endogenous photosensitizer to a fluid and exposing the fluid to photoradiation sufficient to activate the endogenous photosensitizer whereby microorganisms are inactivated. Other fluids, including juices, water and the like, may also be decontaminated by these methods as may surfaces of foods, animal carcasses, wounds, food preparation surfaces and bathing and washing vessel surfaces. Alloxazines and K- and L-vitamins are among the preferred photosensitizers. Systems and apparatuses for flow-through and batch processes are also provided for decontamination of such fluids using photosensitizers.

Abstract: Methods are provided for neutralization of microorganisms in fluids or on surfaces. Preferably the fluids contain blood or blood products and comprise biologically active proteins. Preferred methods include the steps of adding an activation-effective amount of a microorganism neutralizer with an isoalloxazine backbone to a fluid and exposing the fluid to a triggering event. Preferred triggering events include light of a suitable wavelength and intensity to activate the microorganism neutralizer or a pH sufficient to activate the microorganism neutralizer. Other fluids, including juices, water and the like, may also be decontaminated by these methods as may surfaces of foods, animal carcasses, wounds, food preparation surfaces and bathing and washing vessel surfaces. Compounds with an isoalloxazine backbone are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for inactivation of microorganisms in a fluid containing blood or blood products and comprising biologically active proteins. The method includes the steps of adding an effective, non-toxic amount of an endogenous photosensitizer to the fluid; exposing the fluid to photoradiation sufficient to activate the endogenous photosensitizer; and allowing the activated endogenous photosensitizer to interfere with nucleic acid present in microorganisms in the fluid so that the microorganisms are inactivated. Isoalloxazines and K- and L-vitamins are among the preferred photosensitizers.