Category Archives: Biocide

Research – Biocide Tolerance and Impact of Sanitizer Concentrations on the Antibiotic Resistance of Bacteria Originating from Cheese

MDPI

Abstract

In this study, we determined and identified the bacterial diversity of different types of artisanal and industrially produced cheese. The antibiotic (erythromycin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, ampicillin, clindamycin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and gentamicin) and biocide (peracetic acid, sodium hypochlorite, and benzalkonium chloride) resistance of clinically relevant bacteria was determined as follows: Staphylococcus aureusMacrococcus caseolyticusBacillus sp., Kocuria variansEscherichia coliEnterococcus faecalisCitrobacter freundiiCitrobacter pasteuriiKlebsiella oxytocaKlebsiella michiganensisEnterobacter sp., Enterobacter cloacaeEnterobacter sichuanensisRaoultella ornithinolyticaShigella flexneri, and Salmonella enterica. Also, the effect of the sub-inhibitory concentration of three biocides on antibiotic resistance was determined. The microbiota of evaluated dairy products comprise diverse and heterogeneous groups of bacteria with respect to antibiotic and disinfectant tolerance. The results indicated that resistance was common in the case of ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and streptomycin. Bacillus sp. SCSSZT2/3, Enterococcus faecalis SRGT/1, E. coli SAT/1, Raoultella ornithinolytica MTT/5, and S. aureus SIJ/2 showed resistance to most antibiotics. The tested bacteria showed sensitivity to peracetic acid and a different level of tolerance to benzalkonium chloride and sodium hypochlorite. The inhibition zone diameter of antibiotics against Enterococcus faecalis SZT/2, S. aureus JS11, E. coli CSKO2, and Kocuria varians GRT/10 was affected only by the sub-inhibitory concentration of peracetic acid.

Research – Relationship of Sanitizers, Disinfectants, and Cleaning Agents with Antimicrobial Resistance

Journal of Food Protection

ABSTRACT

Sanitizers, disinfectants, and cleaning agents are vital to food hygiene assurance and are a major public health protection measure. Limiting microbial antibiotic resistance is also a global public health priority. Although many factors contribute to the rise in antimicrobial resistance in bacteria infecting humans, antibiotic use in both human clinical settings and for food-producing animals are primary contributors. Some concerns have been raised about the possibility of coselection between food hygiene chemicals and reduced antimicrobial susceptibility. This article reviews available evidence from individual studies purporting to demonstrate a possible risk of antimicrobial resistance development, following biocide usage. Furthermore, the conclusions of several key expert reports and meta-analysis publications were assessed for supportive evidence of a relationship between biocide usage in food production and resistance development. Although many studies report on the isolation of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial strains in food, evidence is lacking on the attribution of this resistance to biocide usage. Also, although a theoretical risk of causality exists, many of the studies performed to demonstrate this are in vitro studies using laboratory-grown or -trained bacterial isolates, challenged with sublethal (below the recommended food industry) disinfectant or sanitizing agent concentrations. The proper use of, and adherence to biocide manufacturer’s instruction for use, and the avoidance of biocide active agent dilution (e.g., through biofilm presence) must be ensured in food production environments. It is recommended that in situ studies should be performed to further assess causality, ensured a clear differentiation between interpretation of stable antimicrobial resistance and phenotypic adaptation. Furthermore, authorization of new biocidal active substances should take a scientific and risk-based approach regarding the potential for driving microbial resistance.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Sanitizers and disinfectants (biocides) are essential for food safety assurance.

  • Concerns have been raised about theoretical risk of biocide-induced antimicrobial resistance.

  • In vitro studies provide weak causal evidence to attribute antimicrobial resistance to biocide usage.

  • GMPs, proper biocide usage, and avoidance of biofilms mitigate risk of antimicrobial resistance.