Journal
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
Volume 85, Issue 13, Pages -Publisher
AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.00377-19
Keywords
alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides; antiseptic; BACs; benzalkonium chlorides; QACs; resistance
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Funding
- National Science Foundation [1743101]
- Direct For Biological Sciences [1743101] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
- Div Of Biological Infrastructure [1743101] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Benzalkonium chlorides (BACs) are chemicals with widespread applications due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This review provides an overview of the market for BACs, as well as regulatory measures and available data on safety, toxicity, and environmental contamination. We focus on the effect of frequent exposure of microbial communities to BACs and the potential for cross-resistant phenotypes to emerge. Toward this goal, we review BAC concentrations in consumer products, their correlation with the emergence of tolerance in microbial populations, and the associated risk potential. Our analysis suggests that the ubiquitous and frequent use of BACs in commercial products can generate selective environments that favor microbial phenotypes potentially cross-resistant to a variety of compounds. An analysis of benefits versus risks should be the guidepost for regulatory actions regarding compounds such as BACs.
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