Quaternary ammonium compounds: an alternative disinfection method for fresh produce wash water

Abstract

Irrigation water can serve as a vehicle for transporting pathogenic microorganisms, and numerous cases of bacterial infections from consumption of irrigated fresh produce have been reported in recent years. Chlorine-based disinfectants applied when produce is packed are widely used to control microorganisms. When applied properly, the chlorine products are effective. However, hazardous disinfection breakdown products can be formed, and chlorine disinfectants have high oxidant activity that can affect produce quality and pose a risk to food handlers. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) are a disinfectant alternative for the washing of fruits and vegetables. They can control a great number of microorganisms, have low toxicity when used at recommended doses, and are stable in storage. The purpose of this work was to assess the disinfectant activity of QACs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus under worst-case and average-case turbidity conditions, (2 and 100 nephelometric units); two disinfectant concentrations (100 and 200 mg/L; and two contact times (30 and 120 seconds). Our research showed that QACs were effective against both bacteria. The percentage reduction of Escherichia coli was significantly higher in the less turbid solution (P = 0.027), while turbidity did not affect the reduction of Staphylococcus aureus (P > 0.05). E. coli was more resistant to QAC treatment than S. aureus. Based on the data obtained we can conclude that QACs could be an alternative in washing processes of fruits and vegetables.

Modulation of Tularemia Disease Progress by the Bisquaternary Pyridinium Oxime HI-6

“…Benzalkonia salts have slight structural similarity to HI-6. These salts are considered to be antimicrobial agents just due to presence of quaternal ammonium (Chaidez et al 2007). For in vivo impact, HI-6 is toxic at higher concentrations (Bartosova et al 2006) as well as a strong competitive inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase , the dose equal to approximately 25% of LD 50 had no significant effect on mice mortality.…”

“…Quaternary amino group is also included in some disinfectants e.g. benzalkonium chloride (Rutala and Weber 1999;Chaidez et al 2007). Furthermore, imines are effective in the form of polymers (Zhang et al 2007).…”

Quillaja saponaria Saponins with Potential to Enhance the Effectiveness of Disinfection Processes in the Beverage Industry

“…The antimicrobial activity of these substances depends mainly on the length of the N-alkyl chain [28]. Disinfectants based on QAC are used widely in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries [29]. Generally, the antimicrobial activity of QAC is based on interaction with cell membranes, disruption of membrane integrity and leakage of intracellular content [30].…”

Comparative analysis of newly introduced disinfectants in hospitals in India: An important aspect of infection control policy

“…they are less affected by organic matter, they are not corrosive except at high concentrations, they are stable even in diluted solutions and concentrates, and can be stored for a long time without losing their antimicrobial activity. 11 On the other hand, the heavy use of QACs has also been blamed for the dissemination of qac genes and the spread of efflux pumps. 12 In the present study too, both the QACs were significantly better against MrSA in soiled environment.…”