The photobiological activity of 5-geranoxypsoralen and its photoproducts.

5-geranoxypsoralen (Bergamottin) does not photosensitize bacteria or a bacterial virus. It does, however, photosensitize mammalian cells in tissue culture. Irradiation with either black light (300-400 nm) or fluorescent ceiling lights produced at least four photobiologically active degradation products, the chemical nature of which still remains to be elucidated. Prolonged exposure to black light resulted in the formation of inactive molecule(s).