Effects and molecular mechanism of flagellar gene flgK on the motility, adhesion/invasion, and desiccation resistance of Cronobacter sakazakii

•ΔflgK strain of Cronobacter sakazakii was obtained via the homologous recombination method.•ΔflgK reduces the motility and cell adhesion/invasion ability of Cronobacter sakazakii.•ΔflgK enhances desiccation resistance of Cronobacter sakazakii.•The mechanism of flgK negatively correlated with desiccation resistance was studied.