Photophysical and photochemical processes of riboflavin (vitamin B_2) by means of the transient absorption spectra in aqueous solution

Using time-resolved techniques of 337 and 248 nm laser flash photolysis, the photo-physical and photochemical processes of riboflavin (RF, vitamin B2) were studied in detail in aqueous solution. The excited triplet state of riboflavin (3RF*) was produced with 337 nm laser, while under 248 nm irradiation, both 3RF* and hydrated electron (eaq) formed from photoionizationcould be detected. Photobiological implications have been inferred on the basis of reactivity of 3RF* including energy transfer, electron transfer and hydrogen abstraction. The RF.+ was generated by oxidation of SO4.- radical with the aim of confirming the results of photolysis.