Efficacy of alkyltrimethylammonium bromide for decontaminating salt-cured hides from the red heat causing moderately halophilic bacteria

Lett Appl Microbiol. 2020 Mar;70(3):159-164. doi: 10.1111/lam.13250. Epub 2019 Dec 28.

Abstract

Conventionally, animal hide and skin necessitates 95% saturated brine solution (SBS) for its preservation. This salt is primarily derived from different sources including solar-saltern, evaporation ponds, etc., which are laden with different types of halophilic micro-organisms. Previous studies confirmed that the presence of moderately halophilic bacteria caused red heat on cured hide, which adversely affects the leather quality and causes substantial economic losses for leather industries. Thus, this investigation was carried out to examine the effects of different concentrations of alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (ATMB) on selected halophilic-bacteria attributed to the deterioration of hide quality. In nutrient broth solution (NBS), ATMB at 250 and 500 ppm reduced individual halo-bacteria, that is, Halomonas halodenitrificans, Halomonas eurihalina, Alkalibacillus haloalkaliphilus and Salimicrobium album, by averages of 0·64 and 1·90, 1·5 and 2·61, 0·90 and 2·27, 1·65 and 3·36 log CFU per ml respectively in 5 min. ATMB treatment in SBS at 500 ppm for 18 h resulted in a reduction of H. halodenitrificans, H. eurihalina, A. haloalkaliphilus and S. album by averages of 1·9, 1·25, 0·96 and 1·34 log CFU per ml respectively, when compared with the controls. Likewise, 5000 ppm ATMB reduced the cocktail population nearly to zero from that cultivated in SBS for 18 h. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In this investigation, the inhibition of different halophilic bacteria that causes red heat in salt-preserved hides is described for the first time. The antimicrobial susceptibility test executed via solution procedures for selected halophilic bacterial strains (i.e. resistant to the salt environment) revealed significant efficacy of alkyltrimethylammonium bromide (ATMB). The current study suggests that, chemical compound like ATMB could be utilized to prevent red heat-related damage on salt-cured hides caused by halophilic bacteria, which is a persisting concern of the leather industry.

Keywords: agriculture (by product hide); antimicrobials; biodegradation (red heat); disinfection; microbial contamination (Halophilic bacteria).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacillaceae / drug effects*
  • Bromides / pharmacology
  • Decontamination / methods
  • Halomonas / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Organ Preservation / methods*
  • Organ Preservation Solutions / pharmacology*
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Salts / pharmacology
  • Skin / microbiology*
  • Sodium Chloride / pharmacology

Substances

  • Bromides
  • Organ Preservation Solutions
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Salts
  • brine
  • Sodium Chloride

Supplementary concepts

  • Alkalibacillus haloalkaliphilus
  • Salimicrobium album