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. Rodr. extract against the same isolates from food and food environments. Moreover, phenotypic and genotypic resistance profiles, the presence of virulence genes and biofilm forming ability were determined. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of B. odorata extract against Salmonella spp. ranged from 10 to >19 mg.mL-1. Resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, nalidixic acid, sulfonamide, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol was observed. In addition, multidrug resistance was observed in seven isolates (26.92%). The MIC of BC ranged from 32 to 64 mg.L-1, higher concentrations in comparison with wild-type MICs, and therefore were considered tolerant. Several resistance genes were detected, of which the most common were aadA, qacEΔ1, blaTEM, int1, sul1, and tetA. All isolates carried at least one virulence gene and produced biofilms on stainless steel surfaces at 10 and 22 °C. On the other hand, the B. odorata extract showed activity against Salmonella spp., and it has the potential to be used as a natural antimicrobial to control this important foodborne pathogen, despite its virulence potential and antimicrobial resistance profile.
Keywords: Biofilm; Foodborne isolates; Plant extract; Resistance genes; Virulence genes.
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