Pullulan conjugates (i.e. PFP1, PFP4) formed via DCC/DMAP coupling of porphyrin derivatives possessing one (P1) or four (P4) carboxylic acid moieties with folate-appended pullulans (PF) were prepared for application as photosensitizers (PS) for photodynamic therapy. To maximize the desired PS characteristics, the assembly size of PS should be less than 200 nm in water medium. In a PBS buffer solution, PFP4 forms smaller assemblies (~100 nm) than PFP1 (~320 nm) due to its enhanced intramolecular hydrophilicity.

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