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Bobic L, Harbolic A, Warner GR. Reproductive & Developmental Toxicity of quaternary ammonium compounds. Biol Reprod 2024:ioae107. [PMID: 38959857 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are a class of chemicals commonly used as disinfectants in household and healthcare settings. Their usage has significantly increased in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, QACs have replaced the recently banned disinfectants triclosan and triclocarban in consumer products. QACs are found in daily antimicrobial and personal care products such as household disinfectants, mouthwash, and hair care products. Due to the pervasiveness of QACs in daily use products, humans are constantly exposed. However, little is known about the health effects of everyday QAC exposure, particularly effects on human reproduction and development. Studies that investigate the harmful effects of QACs on reproduction are largely limited to high-dose studies, which may not be predictive of low dose, daily exposure, especially as QACs may be endocrine disrupting chemicals. This review analyzes recent studies on QAC effects on reproductive health, identifying knowledge gaps, and recommending future directions in QAC-related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Bobic
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
| | - Allison Harbolic
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
| | - Genoa R Warner
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
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Pereira AP, Antunes P, Peixe L, Freitas AR, Novais C. Current insights into the effects of cationic biocides exposure on Enterococcus spp. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1392018. [PMID: 39006755 PMCID: PMC11242571 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1392018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cationic biocides (CBs), such as quaternary ammonium compounds and biguanides, are critical for controlling the spread of bacterial pathogens like Enterococcus spp., a leading cause of multidrug-resistant healthcare-associated infections. The widespread use of CBs in recent decades has prompted concerns about the potential emergence of Enterococcus spp. populations exhibiting resistance to both biocides and antibiotics. Such concerns arise from their frequent exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of CBs in clinical, food chain and diverse environmental settings. This comprehensive narrative review aimed to explore the complexity of the Enterococcus' response to CBs and of their possible evolution toward resistance. To that end, CBs' activity against diverse Enterococcus spp. collections, the prevalence and roles of genes associated with decreased susceptibility to CBs, and the potential for co- and cross-resistance between CBs and antibiotics are reviewed. Significant methodological and knowledge gaps are identified, highlighting areas that future studies should address to enhance our comprehension of the impact of exposure to CBs on Enterococcus spp. populations' epidemiology. This knowledge is essential for developing effective One Health strategies that ensure the continued efficacy of these critical agents in safeguarding Public Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P Pereira
- UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Antunes
- UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luísa Peixe
- UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R Freitas
- UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- 1H-TOXRUN, One Health Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU CRL, Gandra, Portugal
| | - Carla Novais
- UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Tagorti G, Yalçın B, Güneş M, Burgazlı AY, Kuruca T, Cihanoğlu N, Akarsu E, Kaya N, Marcos R, Kaya B. Alcohol-free synthesis, biological assessment, in vivo toxicological evaluation, and in silico analysis of novel silane quaternary ammonium compounds differing in structure and chain length as promising disinfectants. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133470. [PMID: 38246053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are commonly used as disinfectants for industrial, medical, and residential applications. However, adverse health outcomes have been reported. Therefore, biocompatible disinfectants must be developed to reduce these adverse effects. In this context, QACs with various alkyl chain lengths (C12-C18) were synthesized by reacting QACs with the counterion silane. The antimicrobial activities of the novel compounds against four strains of microorganisms were assessed. Several in vivo assays were conducted on Drosophila melanogaster to determine the toxicological outcomes of Si-QACs, followed by computational analyses (molecular docking, simulation, and prediction of skin sensitization). The in vivo results were combined using a cheminformatics approach to understand the descriptors responsible for the safety of Si-QAC. Si-QAC-2 was active against all tested bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 13.65 to 436.74 ppm. Drosophila exposed to Si-QAC-2 have moderate-to-low toxicological outcomes. The molecular weight, hydrophobicity/lipophilicity, and electron diffraction properties were identified as crucial descriptors for ensuring the safety of the Si-QACs. Furthermore, Si-QAC-2 exhibited good stability and notable antiviral potential with no signs of skin sensitization. Overall, Si-QAC-2 (C14) has the potential to be a novel disinfectant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghada Tagorti
- Department of Biology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Burçin Yalçın
- Department of Biology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Merve Güneş
- Department of Biology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | | | - Tuğçe Kuruca
- Department of Chemistry, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | | | - Esin Akarsu
- Department of Chemistry, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Nuray Kaya
- Department of Biology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ricard Marcos
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Bülent Kaya
- Department of Biology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
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Mohapatra S, Xian JLL, Galvez-Rodriguez A, Ekande OS, Drewes JE, Gin KYH. Photochemical fate of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and degradation pathways predication through computational analysis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133483. [PMID: 38232547 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are commonly used in many products, such as disinfectants, detergents and personal care products. However, their widespread use has led to their ubiquitous presence in the environment, posing a potential risk to human and environmental health. Several methods, including direct and indirect photodegradation, have been explored to remove QACs such as benzylalkyldimethyl ammonium compounds (BACs) and alkyltrimethyl ammonium compounds (ATMACs) from the environment. Hence, in this research, a systematic review of the literature was conducted using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) method to understand the fate of these QACs during direct and indirect photodegradation in UV/H2O2, UV/PS, UV/PS/Cu2+, UV/chlorine, VUV/UV/chlorine, O3/UV and UV/O3/TiO2 systems which produce highly reactive radicals that rapidly react with the QACs, leading to their degradation. As a result of photodegradation, several transformation products (TPs) of QACs are formed, which can pose a greater risk to the environment and human health than the parent QACs. Only limited research in this area has been conducted with fewer QACs. Hence, quantum mechanical calculations such as density functional theory (DFT)-based computational calculations using Gaussian09 software package were used here to explain better the photo-resistant nature of a specific type of QACs, such as BACs C12-18 and ATMACs C12, C14, C18, and their transformation pathways, providing insights into active sites participating in the phototransformation. Recognizing that different advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) come with pros and cons in the elimination of QACs, this review also highlighted the importance of implementing each AOP concerning the formation of toxic transformation products and electrical energy per order (EEO), especially when QACs coexist with other emerging contaminants (ECs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeeb Mohapatra
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Energy and Environmental Sustainability for Megacities (E2S2) Phase II, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), 1 CREATE Way, 138602, Singapore; Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Jovina Lew Li Xian
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore
| | | | - Onkar Sudhir Ekande
- Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jörg E Drewes
- Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, T-Lab Building, 5A Engineering Drive 1, 117411, Singapore; Energy and Environmental Sustainability for Megacities (E2S2) Phase II, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), 1 CREATE Way, 138602, Singapore; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Engineering Drive 2, 117576, Singapore.
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