Sustainable application of biocides to promote hygiene and minimize antimicrobial resistance

Biocidal (microbicidal) products play a critical role in controlling microorganisms in healthcare, industrial, community, and home environments. There is, however, concern that use and misuse might contribute to the evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This paper provides a critical assessment of the contribution of biocides to sustainability based on a critical evaluation of the literature, followed by offering views on the future management of biocide use across the globe.

The authors argue “Concern has been raised that extensive biocide applications could contribute to the decreased effectiveness of antibiotics, however, there have been conflicting reports linking biocides to antibiotic cross-resistance (reviewed by Oggioni et al. 2013 and Maillard 2018 ). A comprehensive report from an expert workshop that addressed the interconnection between microbial resistance to biocides and antibiotics concluded that even if each biocide represents a specific case, there is scientific evidence that biocides select for biocide resistance, but that there is, so far, no conclusive evidence that this also determines or will determine an increase in antibiotic resistance (Oggioni et al. 2013).

The authors conclude that appropriate and targeted use of biocides does have a role to play in sustainability, but it is critical to move towards more sustainable, targeted applications of biocides, supplemented with a strong background of research into resistance mechanisms and epidemiology. This will help ensure that biocidal products are maintained as an effective and efficient source of antimicrobial control and  antibiotic efficacy is maintained.

Sustainable Microbiology , 2024, 1 , qvae015 https://doi.org/10.1093/sumbio/qvae015 Advance access publication date: 4 July 2024 Review Article – open access