# From Dormancy to Eradication: Strategies for Controlling Bacterial Persisters in Food Settings
## 6 Implications of Persister Cells in the Food Industry
### Targeted Eradication Approaches  
Microbial contamination in the food industry can have devastating economic and social consequences due to equipment malfunction, the cross-contamination of products, spoilage, and the need for the recall of products, ultimately causing foodborne illnesses. The presence of persister cells presents a \"silent\" challenge to the industry quality control. To address this issue, various prevention and eradication strategies have been proposed, including optimized sanitation practices and targeted interventions. Furthermore, biofilm-forming persisters pose an additional challenge to treatment due to the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) that impedes antimicrobial penetration, reducing the efficacy of conventional therapies [36].  
Previous research [16; 60] categorizes persister-eradication strategies into four primary approaches:  
1. The direct killing of dormant persister cells: This involves targeting cellular structures such as the cell wall, the membrane, and DNA. By disrupting membrane potential or altering permeability, persisters become susceptible to antimicrobials. Physical methods, such as heat, UV radiation, and sonication, directly damage cellular structures, complementing this approach. Chemical agents, including surfactants and reactive oxygen species (ROS), can further enhance membrane disruption, while biological methods, such as bacteriophage-derived enzymes, target cell walls with precision.
2. Awakening dormant cells: Some approaches aim to \"wake\" persister cells, making them metabolically active and, therefore, more vulnerable to antibiotics. Metabolic triggers like pyruvate, often used as chemical agents, can effectively induce cellular activity. Physical methods, such as alternating temperatures or pressures, can also provoke metabolic changes. Additionally, biological tools, including certain enzymes or signaling molecules, may assist in reactivating dormant cells.  
3. Combination therapies: Combining anti-persister agents with conventional antibiotics enhances treatment effectiveness. This diversified approach attacks persisters through multiple mechanisms. Physical methods can act synergistically with chemical antimicrobials, e.g., heat-enhanced antibiotic activity. Similarly, biological methods, such as combining quorum-sensing inhibitors with antibiotics, amplify the impact of chemical treatments.
4. Quorum-sensing interference: Targeting quorum-sensing circuits can prevent persister cells from communicating and forming biofilms. Biological strategies, such as enzymes that degrade quorum-sensing molecules or peptides that block receptors, are highly effective and have been described in previous publications [52; 53]. Chemical agents can inhibit quorum-sensing molecule synthesis, while physical methods, like ultrasound, may disrupt biofilm structures, indirectly interfering with quorum-sensing pathways [52; 53]. This diversified approach attacks persisters through multiple mechanisms improving the chances of success.  
The following sections delve into physical, chemical, and biological eradication treatments, exploring their mechanisms of action and their alignment with these targeted strategies to control and eliminate persister cells in the food industry.