Resistance to benzalkonium chloride and cadmium chloride in isolates from food and food-processing environments in southern Brazil.

Resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds such as benzalkonium chloride (BC) has been observed in many strains worldwide and is associated with cadmium chloride (CC) resistance. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate the susceptibility to BC and CC, detect the presence of resistance genes, and investigate the possible role of efflux pumps in BC and CC resistance in isolates from food and food-processing environments in southern Brazil. All 50 isolates (100%) were resistant to BC, and 29 isolates (58%) were resistant to CC.

Tolerance to benzalkonium chloride and antimicrobial activity of Butia odorata Barb. Rodr. extract in Salmonella spp. isolates from food and food environments.

Salmonellosis, caused by the consumption of contaminated foods, is a major health problem worldwide. The aims of this study were to assess the susceptibility of Salmonella spp. isolates to benzalkonium chloride (BC) disinfectant and the antimicrobial activity of Butia odorata Barb.