Persistence of Salmonella enterica during dehydration and subsequent cold storage

► Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium SL 1344 exhibits high desiccation tolerance. ► Growth temperature, stationary-phase, solid medium, and NaCl enhance desiccation tolerance. ► Basic pHs, trehalose and sucrose, but not glycine-betaine, improve Salmonella survival. ► Dried Salmonella enters into a viable but not cultivable state. ► de-novo protein synthesis is needed for maximal adaptation of Salmonella to desiccation stress.