Viable but Nonculturable State, a Survival Strategy for <i>Salmonella</i> in Aquatic Environments

ABSTRACT In the relentless battle for survival, Salmonella has evolved mechanisms to withstand harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures, fluctuating pH, oxidative stress and disinfectants, which often exist in aquatic environments. Among these survival mechanisms, the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state stands out as a major threat to water safety as well as public health. Although alive and metabolically active, bacteria in a VBNC state defy growth on standard culture media, rendering them invisible to routine diagnostic techniques. Furthermore, bacteria in a VBNC state retain their virulence and can still cause disease and outbreaks. This review article will discuss the VBNC state of Salmonella in aquatic environments, highlight the environmental and genetic determinants of VBNC Salmonella , as well as discuss available methods for detecting viable as well as VBNC Salmonella in environmental samples, including the role of artificial intelligence in facilitating rapid and accurate detection of viable and non‐viable bacterial cells.