Abstract
Electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) are generated by electrolysis of NaCl solutions, and demonstrate broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and high environmental compatibility. The biocidal efficacy of ECAS at the point of production is widely reported in the literature, as are its credentials as a “green biocide.” Acidic ECAS are considered most effective as biocides at the point of production and ill suited for extended storage. Acidic ECAS samples were stored at 4 °C and 20 °C in glass and polystyrene containers for 398 days, and tested for free chlorine, pH, ORP and bactericidal activity throughout. ORP and free chlorine (mg/L) in stored ECAS declined over time, declining at the fastest rate when stored at 20 °C in polystyrene and at the slowest rate when stored at 4 °C in glass. Bactericidal efficacy was also affected by storage and ECAS failed to produce a 5 log10 reduction on five occasions when stored at 20 °C. pH remained stable throughout the storage period. This study represents the longest storage evaluation of the physiochemical parameters and bactericidal efficacy of acidic ECAS within the published literature and reveals that acidic ECAS retain useful bactericidal activity for in excess of 12 months, widening potential applications.
Highlights
Concerns regarding the spread of antimicrobial resistance amongst microorganisms, coupled with limitations associated with existing biocides continues to drive the development of novel disinfectants
Electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) stored in glass at 4 °C showed the slowest decline in ORP retaining an ORP of greater than 1000 mV for 57 days compared to that of 35 days for ECAS stored in plastic at 4 °C, 14 days for ECAS stored in glass at 20 °C and 7 days for ECAS stored in polystyrene at 20 °C
The data generated from this study suggest that that both temperature and storage material significantly influence the rate at which ORP and chlorine decline in acidic ECAS, with temperature having a greater influence on long term storage than the storage material
Summary
Concerns regarding the spread of antimicrobial resistance amongst microorganisms ( within healthcare and agricultural environments), coupled with limitations associated with existing biocides continues to drive the development of novel disinfectants. Solutions originating from reactions that occur at the anode have proven microbicidal efficacy resulting from the formation of HOCl, which is considered to be the primary antimicrobial agent. ECAS have a broad spectrum of activity They have been shown to be highly effective against healthcare associated bacterial pathogens including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa [5] and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis [6]. They have demonstrated rapid activity against bacterial endospores including those of Clostridium difficile and Bacillus atrophaeus [5], Bacillus cereus [7] and Bacillus anthracis [8]. In addition to bacterial and sporicidal activity, ECAS have been shown to be active against human norovirus [9], hepatitis B virus [10]
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