This organic compound is a white powdered solid with a slight aromatic/phenolic odor. It is a chlorinated aromatic compound which has functional groups representative of both ethers and phenols. Phenols often show anti-bacterial properties. Triclosan is slightly soluble in water, but soluble in ethanol, diethyl ether, and stronger basic solutions such as 1 M sodium hydroxide, like many other phenols.

Uses

It is found in soaps, deodorants, toothpastes and is impregnated in an increasing number of consumer products, such as kitchen utensils, toys, bedding, socks, and trash bags. It has been shown to be effective in reducing and controlling bacterial contamination on the hands and on treated products.

Triclosan is regulated by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and by the European Union. In the environment, triclosan is removed during normal waste treatment processes as shown by extensive environmental studies, and any of it that remains after waste treatment quickly breaks down into other compounds in the environment. However, one study showed that triclosan was broken down into dioxins in river water, because of the presence of sunlight (PMID 15779749).

Mechanism of action

Triclosan appears to kill bacteria mainly by inhibiting fatty acid synthesis. Triclosan binds to bacterial enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (encoded by FabI) and increases the enzyme's affinity for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺). This results in the formation of a stable ternary complex of FabI-NAD⁺-triclosan, which is unable to participate in fatty acid synthesis. Some bacterial strains are resistant to triclosan due to FabI mutations which decrease triclosan's effect on FabI-NAD⁺ binding. (PMID 10196195) Another way for bacteria to gain resistance to triclosan is to overexpress FabI (PMID 11418506).

Resistance concerns

An article coauthored by Dr. Stuart Levy in the August 6, 1998 issue of Nature (PMID 9707111) warned that its overuse could cause resistant strains of bacteria to develop, in much the same way that antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains are emerging, based on speculation that triclosan behaved like an antibiotic. Based on this speculation, in 2003, the Sunday Herald newspaper reported that some UK supermarkets and other retailers were considering phasing out products containing triclosan.

It has since been shown that the laboratory method used by Dr. Levy was not effective in predicting bacterial resistance for biocides like triclosan, based on work by Dr. Peter Gilbert in the UK (PMID 12957932). At least seven peer-reviewed and published studies have been conducted demonstrating that triclosan is not significantly associated with bacterial resistance, including one study coauthored by Dr. Levy, published in August of 2004 in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (PMID 15273108). In addition, there is 30 years of experience with triclosan without any incidences of acquired bacterial resistance reported, and there are no studies showing acquired resistance after long-term use.

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Keeping Clean
From Western Fruit Grower, 6/1/05

Hand-washing stations and hand sanitizers should be requirements for any farm market with a petting zoo.

ENTERTAINMENT farming, or agri-tainment as it is commonly known, is one of the more popular forms of direct marketing today. It's a great way to get large groups of visitors to come to your farm and stop by the market.

For some growers, entertainment includes not only corn mazes, hay rides, and pick-your-own apples, it also means farm animals. What better way to make children want to come to your orchard than by offering them a petting zoo?

Unfortunately, what better way to run the risk of spreading harmful bacteria as well. Because of this, it's a good idea for any grower investing in a petting zoo to provide hand-washing stations, or at least liquid hand sanitizers, outside of the petting zoo area.

Wash It All Away

When people do wash their hands, questions often come up as to which cleaning product is best to use: regular soap, antibacterial soap, or an alcohol gel hand sanitizer? While all three types of products can be effective, there have been some concerns raised about overdependence on the latter two products.

With antibacterial soap products, there is some concern that increasing use of these may lead to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. While there is no clearly supportive data in this area yet, some experts theorize it could happen and it's an area where more research is needed.

Researchers at Tufts University have found that the antibacterial agent triclosan can kill E. coli bacteria by acting on a lone gene. Under laboratory conditions, they were able to show that if this particular gene underwent a mutation, the bacteria became resistant to triclosan.

What about alcohol gel hand sanitizers? Are they any better? While these products can kill bacteria on contact, once the product has evaporated, the germ-killing action has stopped. There is also the concern that people might develop a false sense of security with claims such as "kills germs" or "sanitizes" or they may use the gels as a substitute for regular hand-washing, rather than use them on an occasional basis when soap and water are not available.

How you wash your hands is just as important as when you wash them, especially when it comes to eliminating germs. Donna Scott and Bob Gravani of the Cornell University Department of Food Science suggest the following procedures for hand-washing (signs indicating these procedures can be posted at your farm market):

* Wet hands with clean, warm water and soap.

* Soap thoroughly; work up a good lather.

* Rub hands together for at least 20 seconds.

* Clean under the nails and between the fingers; and up the forearms if doing food preparation.

* Rinse under clean running water.

* Dry hands with a single-service (or disposable) towel.

Keep in mind that providing liquid hand sanitizers should not be considered a replacement for hand-washing stations. Make clear where each of your hand-washing areas, including restrooms, are located, and encourage visitors to use these facilities as often as possible. It also doesn't hurt to provide hand sanitizers not only outside of a petting zoo, but outside any part of the orchard that visitors move in and out of frequently. It's a small step that can help put parents at ease.

E-mail questions or comments about this article to afg.edit@meistermedia.com.

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