Photochemical generation of photoactive compounds with fulvic-like and humic-like fluorescence in aqueous solution

The irradiation of L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine and 4-phenoxyphenol in aqueous solution produced compounds with similar fluorescence properties as humic substances, and with absorption spectra that were significantly extended into the UVA and visible regions compared to the starting compounds. The irradiated systems had photosensitizing properties, as proven by the photodegradation of 2,4,6-trimethylphenol and furfuryl alcohol (probes of excited triplet states and 1O2, respectively). The described photochemical processes could constitute an additional pathway for the formation of humic substances in clear and shallow water bodies, which would be added to the complex network of reactions involving dissolved organic matter.