Occurrence of QACs in soil and role in the selection of antibiotic resistance

Abstract

The rise of multi resistant pathogenic bacteria is a pressing 21^st century challenge and a significant threat to human health. To combat the proliferation of antimicrobial resistant pathogens, a more judicious use of antibiotics in medical treatments is essential. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are high production volume, surface active antimicrobial chemicals widely used in agriculture. This review comprehensively examines QAC concentrations in soils and explores how these concentrations and the fate of QACs in soils influence the proliferation of antibiotic resistance in the environment. We also discuss predicted environmental concentrations for QACs applied to integrons, clay minerals, montmorillonite, and interlayer sorption.