I added benzalkonium chloride to the water in the pan of co2 incubator but the condition of cells is deteriorating. can it be because of benzalkonium chloride?
BAC is normally a mixture of compounds with different side chains (C8 to C18). The C8 one has a boiling point of 100°C (http://www.chemicalbook.com/ChemicalProductProperty_US_CB1712971.aspx). Thus it is not unlikley that it evaporates to some extend. From literature and our cytotox studies I know the quartanary ammonium compounds are quite toxic.
It depend in which concentration that you added. Benzalkonium chloride (from Sigma Aldrich) can be added to the tray at the specified concentration (1:64 from a 10% solution or 1% working solution diluted as 1:50 to 1: 100, with no effect to the cells.
Dear Himani, please check out information on substances registered according to REACh at ECHA. http://www.echa.europa.eu/web/guest/information-on-chemicals/registered-substances