Bactericidal efficacy of electrochemically activated solutions and of commercially available hypochlorite

Abstract

Electrochemical activation (ECA) has been developed as a quick and efficient method of hypochlorite production, and many claim increased efficacy when compared to conventional disinfectant solutions. Numerous potential applications, including hospital disinfection, waste-water treatment, routine drinking water disinfection and biological decontamination have been suggested. In this study, three solutions were produced by electrochemical activation of 0.5% NaCl and compared to commercially available NaOCl. The NaOCl concentration and pH of each solution was measured, and the minimum bactericidal concentration of each was determined using seven common microbial pathogens. All solutions were effective, the most significant of which was the ECA anolyte solution. This is notable due to its neutral pH and antimicrobial efficacy that is four times that of commercially available NaOCl. This process may lead to production of a highly effective yet non-caustic disinfectant that would have countless scientific, medical, military and public health applications.