Electrochemically Activated Solutions Research Articles

Application of electrochemically activated solution to control pathogens of hydroponic solution

In the current integration trend, high-tech agriculture is an inevitable direction for agricultural developing countries. In particular, hydroponics is a commonly used farming technique due to many advantages: no soil, space saving, no weeds, easy control of influencing factors, double yield. Hydroponic crop production systems are used worldwide to grow flowers, foliage, litter, and fruit and vegetable crops. Like other farming methods, hydroponics still has problems with pests and diseases that cause serious damage to the harvest that have not been completely resolved. One of the sources of pathogens is the hydroponic solution. Many methods to kill bacteria and fungi in hydroponic solutions have been studied. However, some methods gave low efficiency, others gave high efficiency but it caused secondary environmental pollution. Electrochemical activated solution (EAS), produced from dilute sodium chloride (NaCl) solution, has been wide known as a super disinfectant solution with high ability to kill most bacteria and fungi and is safe for humans. In this study we were forced on determine the ability to control pathogens in hydroponic solution of EAS, the effects of EAS on hydroponic solution properties and the growth of Brassica juncea in the mixed of EAS – hydroponic solution. Difference volume of EAS were added into hydroponic solutions and mixed for 30, 45, 60, 120 or 180 min. The most effective mixed solution (mixed ratio and time) was selected to apply to cultivate Brassica juncea. The results show that EAS has the ability to control pathogens in hydroponic solution very effectively, replacing other harmful chemicals. When increasing the volume EAS added (higher ACC of mixed solution) or the exposure time the TDS and ORP index of hydroponic solution were raised slightly while pH value was slightly dropped and the total coliform counts decreased significantly. The total coliform counts of mixed solutions reduced over the exposed time. However, the increasing rate of killing ability of EAS was decreased (along with ACC of solutions). Meanwhile, there was no obvious change in the nitrate concentration. The most effective mixed ratio EAS: hydroponic solution and exposure time for pathogens control were 2.5:500 with 30 min or 1.5:500 with 90 min. The mixed ratio of 1.5:500 with 90 min of exposure time were recommended because of its lesser changes on the properties of hydroponic solution. The mixed EAS - hydroponic solution did no negative effect to the growth of Brassica juncea in comparison with original hydroponic solution.

INFLUENCE OF ELECTROCHEMICALLY ACTIVATED SOLUTIONS ON THE FATTY ACID PROFILE OF FOOD SYSTEMS

The emergence of new types and methods of food processing requires studying the impact on the compo-nents of food systems. Fish products are an important part of the human diet, but as a result of storage, their quality and safety indicators are reduced. An effective way to ensure the biological safety of fish raw materials is the use of electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) obtained by high-voltage diaphragm electrolysis. The aim of the study was to study the effect of various concentrations of ECAS on the fatty acid profile of food systems using the example of fish oil from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fillet during the shelf life. In the experiments, a ready-made ECAS with an active chlorine concentration (hereinafter Cach) of 500 mg/l (0.05%) was used, from which working ECAS were prepared with a dilution of 50% and 15%, which corresponds to Cach – 250 mg/l (0.025%) and Cach – 75 mg / l (0.0075%). The concentration of ECAS was selected experimentally in order to determine the optimal concentration at which the de-struction of fatty acids (hereinafter FA) of the studied samples did not occur. The determination was car-ried out by gas chromatography using a Crystal-2000M chromatograph. Comparison was made with con-trol samples. Identification of the peaks of FA methyl esters of the tested samples made it possible to de-termine the recommended working concentration of active chlorine ECAS equal to 75 mg/l, at which the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids does not statistically decrease. The research results can be used to ensure the quality and biological safety of fish fillets, taking into account the specific effects of ECAS on individual components of food systems.

Electrochemically activated solution as bladder irrigation-An individual curative trial in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and recurrent urinary infections.

Driven by increasing awareness of antibiotic stewardship, especially in the vulnerable group of patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), whose frequent need for invasive interventions leads to a high incidence of recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs), the goal was to find an alternative to antibiotic treatment. Our intention was for the treatment to be locally administered and well-tolerated as well as to avoid the risk of antimicrobial resistance. A retrospective analysis of 12 catheterized NLUTD patients was performed within the setting of an individual curative trial. The decision to implement the investigational intervention was made on an individual basis with the aim of eliminating lower urinary tract bacteria before diagnostic procedures or to treat rUTI. Electrochemically activated solution (ECAS) was used as bladder irrigation (BI). The following assessments were undertaken: microbiological analysis of urine, analysis of leukocytes/erythrocytes (per µl urine); microbial resistance and sensitivity to antibiotics before and after therapy; clinical signs and patients' state of health. Eradication of bacteria or an increase in microbial sensitivity to antibiotics was observed in 50%-70% of patients. No adverse events were seen. Due to the restrictions of an individual curative trial, the results are limited by the small number of patients and the absence of a control group. In NLUTD patients with rUTIs, the use of ECAS BI to eliminate bacteriuria before invasive procedures (e.g., urodynamics, preoperative procedures) or to treat rUTI was shown to be a promising alternative to antibiotic treatment.

Spray and Aerosolised pH-Neutral Electrochemically Activated Solution Reduces Salmonella Enteritidis and Total Bacterial Load on Egg Surface

The effectiveness of sprayed and aerosolised pH-neutral electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) containing 150 mg/L of free available chlorine in reducing total bacteria load and artificially inoculated Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis 11RX on eggs surfaces was investigated. Treatment groups included untreated control, sodium hypochlorite (positive control), sprayed and aerosolised water and sprayed and aerosolised ECAS. Sprayed ECAS (150 mg/L, 45 s) showed a significant reduction in total bacterial load (2.2 log reduction, p < 0.0001) and S. Enteritidis (5.4 log reduction, p < 0.0001) when compared with the untreated control. Aerosolised ECAS (120 s) was effective in reducing both the total bacterial load (1.4 log reduction, p < 0.01) and S. Enteritidis (4.2 log reduction, p = 0.0022). However, aerosolised ECAS (60 s) only significantly reduced S. Enteritidis counts (2.8 log reduction, p < 0.0008), indicating that a longer time for bacterial reduction during fogging sanitisation is needed. Tests performed with one egg per oscillating tray were more effective in reducing both the total bacterial load and the S. Enteritidis counts than those with three eggs per oscillating tray. Sprayed ECAS (45 s) and aerosolised ECAS (120 s) did not deteriorate the egg cuticle integrity (ΔEab*), which was evaluated using Cuticle Blue dye solution and colour intensity measurement. Overall, both the reduction in total bacteria counts and S. Enteritidis from the egg surface and retention of cuticle integrity suggest that sprayed and aerosolised ECAS could be used as alternative sanitising approaches to improve the food safety aspect of table eggs.

Regeneration of Raw Hide Water Balance by Electrochemically Activated Water

Improving the collagen structure, which was impacted by the curing process, increases the efficiency of all subsequent structural transformations during leather production and results in the formation of a high-quality leather material. Herein, we studied the process of soaking green-salted horsehides in electrochemically activated aqueous solutions and the properties of resulting chrome-tanned leather. It was found that the process of soaking horsehides can be effectively carried out using an electrochemically activated solution (ECAS) – a mixture of catholyte and anolyte at a volume ratio of 5 : 1. Using this soaking solution, sodium sulfide (an environmentally harmful reagent), sodium carbonate, and detergent can be completely excluded from the technological solution. The use of ECAS at the soaking stage effectively regenerates the water balance of horsehides while maintaining a stable pH during the soaking process and increases the efficacy of liming and all subsequent processes. Considering the prominent structural differences (density and thickness) between the front and shell of horsehide, the developed method, which utilize ECAS for soaking, allows the entire process to be carried out on uncut horse hides instead of processing two parts separately, which is normally required. The chrome-tanned leather produced by the developed method in semi-industrial conditions has elastic-plastic properties which are superior compared to the leather produced by current technology. The developed method also results in increasing the area yield by 2.5%. The resulting elastic leather can be used for manufacturing a variety of articles, including clothing, accessories, and footwear.

Biocidal potential of electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) against Aeromonas sp. Enterobacter sp. and Escherichia coli in tap water

The biocidal efficiency of electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) against isolated bacterial species from the water distribution network was analyzed. Predominant microbial consortia (identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Aeromonas sp. Enterobacter sp. and Escherichia. coli) with a mean count of 1.15 × 106 CFU/mL was inoculated in 100 L tap water in a prototype network to simulate real conditions. The physico-chemical quality of tap water of subsurface origin was assessed before experimentation. The contact times of 10 s, 10 min and 1 h were selected against the ECAS dosages of 1%, 5% and 10% (v/v), respectively. Each test organism showed an independent response at varying dosages. A 10% disinfectant dosage corresponding to a contact time of 1 h showed the highest Log reduction as 4.11 > 3.50 > 2.74 for Enterobacter sp. >E. coli >Aeromonas sp., respectively. The results revealed that due to varying physico-chemical composition and carbon content of test water, complete inhibition of test organism (1.15 × 106 CFU/mL) was not achieved at 10% ECAS dosing for 1 h. The study concludes that adequate pretreatment could further enhance the removal efficacy and reduce the minimum inhibitory concentration of ECAS.

Effects of an Eco-Friendly Sanitizing Wash on Spinach Leaf Bacterial Community Structure and Diversity

Ready-to-eat (RTE) spinach is considered a high-risk food, susceptible to colonization by foodborne pathogens; however, other microbial populations present on the vegetable surface may interact with foodborne pathogens by inhibiting/inactivating their growth. In addition, sanitizers applied to minimally processed salad leaves should not disrupt this autochthonous barrier and should be maintained throughout the shelf life of the product. This investigation aimed at comparing the effects of a pH neutral electrochemically activated solution (ECAS), a peroxyacetic acid (PAA)-based commercial sanitizer (Ecolab Tsunami® 100), and tap water wash on the minimally processed spinach leaf microbiome profile for 10 days after washing. The bacterial microbiota composition on spinach samples was assessed by 16S rRNA pyrosequencing and downstream analyses. Predominant phyla observed in decreasing order of abundance were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes corresponding with the dominant families Micrococcaceae, Clostridiales Family XII, Flavobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Burkholderiaceae. Bacterial species richness and evenness (alpha diversity) and bacterial community composition among all wash types were not significantly different. However, a significant difference was apparent between sampling days, corresponding to a loss of overall heterogeneity over time. Analysis of composition of microbiome (ANCOM) did not identify any amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) or families having significantly different abundance in wash types; however, differences (17 ASVs and five families) were found depending on sampling day. This was the first bacterial microbiome composition study focused on ECAS and PAA-based wash solutions. These wash alternatives do not significantly alter microbial community composition of RTE spinach leaves; however, storage at refrigerated temperature reduces bacterial species heterogeneity.

Decontamination of aerosolised bacteria from a pig farm environment using a pH neutral electrochemically activated solution (Ecas4 anolyte).

An electrochemically activated solution (ECAS), generated by electrolysis of a dilute sodium chloride solution in a four-chamber electrolytic cell (Ecas4), was tested as a sanitising aerosol in eliminating bacteria from the environment of a weaning room vacated 24-48h earlier, at a continuous flow pig farm. An ultrasonic humidifier was used to fill the environment with a fog (droplets with diameters of 1–5 μm) containing 0.25 ppm of hypochlorous acid. The weaning room was fogged for 3 min at 30 min intervals during five hours of aerosol disinfection. An innovative sample treatment with propidium monoazide dye in conjunction with cyclonic air sampling was optimised and adapted for discerning live/dead bacteria in subsequent molecular quantification steps. Without fogging, total bacterial load ranged from 5.06 ± 0.04 to 5.75 ± 0.04 Log10 CFU/m3. After the first hour of fogging, a 78% total bacterial reduction was observed, which further increased to > 97% after the second hour, > 99.4% after the third and 99.8% after the fourth hour, finally resulting in a 99.99% reduction from the farm environment over five hours. Unlike the current formaldehyde spray disinfection protocol, which requires a long empty period because of its hazardous properties, this economically viable and environmentally friendly disinfection protocol may significantly lower downtime. Moreover, ECAS fogging can be easily adapted to a variety of applications, including the elimination of pathogens from livestock farm air environment for disease prevention, as well as decontamination after disease outbreaks.

Comparison of Trihalomethane Formation Using Chlorine-Based Disinfectants Within a Model System; Applications Within Point-of-Use Drinking Water Treatment

© 2019 Clayton, Thorn and Reynolds. Point-of-use (POU) drinking water treatment systems provide solutions for communities where centralized facilities are unavailable. Effective POU systems treat and reduce the number of pathogens in POU water supplies often employing disinfection. Chlorine disinfection results in the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs), such as trihalomethanes (THMs), through the reaction of chlorine with natural organic matter (NOM) over time. Although THMs are known to be harmful to human health, little is known about their production within POU systems. This study compares the disinfectants; Electrochemically Activated Solutions (ECAS), hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), with respect to their potential to produce THMs within POU drinking water systems. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was utilized to quantify THMs in treated water samples containing NOM (Suwannee River humic acid, 4 mg L -1 ). All disinfection treatments were matched to free chlorine concentrations of 1, 3, and 5 mg L -1 , using reaction times of 1, 5, and 10 min. THMs were produced at free chlorine concentrations of 5 mg L -1 and at reaction times of 5 and 10 min for all disinfectants. ECAS or HOCl, resulted in the formation of significantly lower total THM concentrations across all reaction times and free chlorine concentrations, compared to NaOCl. ECAS can be generated at the POU requiring only water, salt and energy for production, and this study demonstrates that its use results in reduced formation of THMs, compared with NaOCl. Further work is required to replicate these findings within scaled-up POU water treatment systems.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different electrochemically-activated solutions on enterococcus faecalis.

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of different electrochemically-activated solutions (ECA) and contemporary irrigants, in root canals infected with Enterococcus faecalis, used with or without EndoActivator (EA). A hundred single-rooted human teeth were prepared. Ninety of the root segments were infected with E. faecalis for four weeks, and divided into eight test groups (n = 10) (four with and four without EA sonication) and a positive control (n = 10). The irrigants tested were electrochemically-activated solutions produced by the Medilox® (ECA-MX) and Envirolyte® devices (ECA-EN), 2% CHX and 2.5% NaOCl. The root specimens were irrigated with 5 mL of the test solution, with additional sonic agitation applied to the EA groups. The dentine samples that were obtained from the walls were cultured, and the antibacterial efficacy was evaluated by counting the colony-forming units. The ECA-EN, 2.5% NaOCl and 2% CHX were more effective than the ECA-MX (p<0.05) with the addition of EA sonication, showing no statistical difference in the elimination of E. faecalis. The ECA-EN shows potential as an endodontic irrigant, while EA usage gives no benefit in reducing bacteria from root canals.

Development of a novel off-grid drinking water production system integrating electrochemically activated solutions and ultrafiltration membranes

Approximately 800 million people live without clean drinking water. Diarrhoea is responsible for between 1.7 and 2 million deaths each year (primarily children) which are the result of poor drinking water quality and sanitation. The main aim of this study was to demonstrate the production of drinking water from a raw water source using an off-grid drinking water production system. The off-grid drinking water production system (DWPS) developed at UWE Bristol, combines an ultra-filtration (UF) system with in situ generation of electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS). ECAS has two functional roles within the system; to manage biofilms within the UF system and as a disinfectant. Integrated in-situ probes (pH, oxidation reduction potential, chlorine, conductivity and dissolved oxygen) coupled with a water quality sensing network (pH, water temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen) enabled real time monitoring of; the operational efficiency of the DWPS, and the physicochemical parameters of both the raw water source and the produced drinking water. Spot samples of both raw and treated water were sent for independent chemical and microbial analysis at an accredited laboratory which demonstrated that the DWPS produced biologically safe potable drinking water according to the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) standards. Samples from the raw water source were shown to be consistently unsuitable for human consumption, failing several of the DWI standards for potable water supply, including coliform bacteria. This study demonstrated that the novel off-grid DWPS was capable of producing DWI standard drinking water from a heavily biologically contaminated water source.

Assessing the antimicrobial potential of aerosolised electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) for reducing the microbial bio-burden on fresh food produce held under cooled or cold storage conditions

The main aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of electrochemically activated fog (ECAF) for reducing the microbial bio-burden on artificially inoculated fresh produce held under cooled (cucumber and vine tomatoes) or cold (rocket and broccoli) storage conditions. The ECAF treatment (1100 ± 5 mV ORP; 50 ± 5 mg L−1 free chlorine; 2.7 ± 0.1 pH) resulted in a significant log reduction in the potential pathogen E. coli recovered from rocket (2.644 Log10 CFU g−1), broccoli (4.204 Log10 CFU g−1), cucumber (3.951 Log10 CFU g−1) and tomatoes (2.535 Log10 CFU g-1) after 5 days. ECAF treatment also resulted in a significant log reduction in potential spoilage organisms, whereby a 3.533 Log10 CFU g−1, 2.174 Log10 CFU g−1 and 1.430 Log10 CFU g−1 reduction in presumptive Pseudomonads was observed for rocket, broccoli and cucumber respectively, and a 3.527 Log10 CFU g−1 reduction in presumptive Penicillium spp. was observed for tomatoes (after 5 days). No adverse visual effects on produce were recorded. The results of this study will inform industrial scale-up trials within commercial facilities (assessing shelf-life, microbial quality and organoleptic assessment) to assess the developed ECAF technology platform within a real food processing environment.

Role of Electrochemically Activated Solution in Asepsis in Osteoblasts and Chondrocytes in vitro

ABSTRACTPurpose: Implant infections are severe complications in orthopedic surgery. Treatment using antibiotics is often unsuccessful without removing the implant due to biofilm formation. In this context, antiseptics may be a potential option. These solutions have a wide antimicrobial spectrum but often cause damage to the local cell populations. In these cases, electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) may be an alternative.Methods: Staphylococcus aureus was cultured overnight on polyethylene platelets under different growing conditions (standard-/-different biofilm inducing conditions). The samples were treated with an ECAS (0%–30%) and analyzed with regard to their antimicrobial efficacy and their effect on biofilm structures by determining the living bacterial count and scanning electron microscopy.Osteoblast and chondrocyte cell lines (MG-63, and CAL-78, respectively) were cultured to confluence and treated with an ECAS. Total cell count, metabolic activity using FDA staining, and proliferation using Ki67 staining were analyzed.Results: ECAS showed antimicrobial activity in concentrations <1%. In cases of biofilm formation, bacterial toxicity could be detected at concentrations from 3.75 –7.5%. At these same concentrations, a visible change in biofilm structure was observed. Regarding biocompatibility rates, up to 7.5% (of osteoblasts) and 3.75% (of chondrocytes) had little influence on metabolic activity and proliferation.Conclusion: ECAS provide good antimicrobial efficacy while maintaining high biocompatibility. These results suggest that these solutions may provide promising alternatives in the treatment of implant-associated infections.

The use of ECAS in plant protection: a green and efficient antimicrobial approach that primes selected defense genes.

The use of highly polluting chemicals for plant and crop protection is one of the components of the negative environmental impact of agricultural activities. In the present paper, an environmentally friendly alternative to pesticide application has been studied, based on the so-called electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS). Experiments have been carried out, by applying ECAS having different contents of active ingredients, on tobacco plants at a laboratory scale and on apple trees at fruit garden scale. The results, accumulated during a couple of years, have shown that properly selected dilute solutions of chlorides, once activated by an electrochemical treatment, exhibit a very effective protecting action of plants, irrespective of their nature. Extension of the research has shown that the observed effect is the result of two distinct factors: the expected anti-microbial action of the electrochemically synthesized oxidants, and an unexpected priming of immune plant defenses, which is clearly due to the treatment with ECAS. Interestingly, the repetition of ECAS application triggers an even stronger activation of defense genes. No oxidative damages, due to the use of the activated solutions, could be detected.

Comparative Antimicrobial Activities of Aerosolized Sodium Hypochlorite, Chlorine Dioxide, and Electrochemically Activated Solutions Evaluated Using a Novel Standardized Assay

The main aim of this study was to develop a standardized experimental assay to enable differential antimicrobial comparisons of test biocidal aerosols. This study represents the first chlorine-matched comparative assessment of the antimicrobial activities of aerosolized sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, and electrochemically activated solution (ECAS) to determine their relative abilities to decontaminate various surface-associated health care-relevant microbial challenges. Standard microbiological challenges were developed by surface-associating typed Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis spores, or a clinical methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain on stainless steel, polypropylene, or fabric. All test coupons were subjected to 20-min biocidal aerosols of chlorine-matched (100 ppm) sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, or ECAS within a standard aerosolization chamber using a commercial humidifier under defined conditions. Biocidal treatment type and material surface had a significant effect on the number of microorganisms recovered from various material surfaces following treatment exposure. Under the conditions of the assay, the order of antimicrobial efficacy of biocidal aerosol treatment was as follows: ECAS > chlorine dioxide > sodium hypochlorite. For all biocides, greater antimicrobial reductions were seen when treating stainless steel and fabric than when treating plastic-associated microorganisms. The experimental fogging system and assay protocol designed within this study were shown capable of differentiating the comparative efficacies of multiple chlorine-matched biocidal aerosols against a spectrum of target organisms on a range of test surface materials and would be appropriate for testing other biocidal aerosol treatments or material surfaces.

The effect of long-term storage on the physiochemical and bactericidal properties of electrochemically activated solutions.

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.

Application of Bacterial Bioluminescence To Assess the Efficacy of Fast-Acting Biocides

Traditional microbiological techniques are used to provide reliable data on the rate and extent of kill for a range of biocides. However, such techniques provide very limited data regarding the initial rate of kill of fast-acting biocides over very short time domains. This study describes the application of a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli expressing the Photorhabdus luminescens lux operon as a whole-cell biosensor. Light emission is linked directly to bacterial metabolism; therefore, by monitoring light output, the impact of fast-acting biocides can be assessed. Electrochemically activated solutions (ECASs), bleach, Virkon, and ethanol were assessed at three concentrations (1%, 10%, 80%) in the presence of organic soiling. Over a 2-s time course, 80% ECAS produced the greatest reduction in light output in the absence of organic load but was strongly inhibited by its presence. Eighty percent ethanol outperformed all tested biocides in the presence of organic soil. Bleach and Virkon produced similar reductions in bioluminescence at matched concentrations within the time course of the assay. It was also demonstrated that the assay can be used to rapidly assess the impact of organic soiling. The use of bioluminescent bacteria as whole-cell bioreporters allows assessment of the relative efficacies of fast-acting biocides within milliseconds of application. The assay can be used to investigate activity over short or extended time domains to confirm complete metabolic inhibition of the bioreporter. Moreover, the assay may enable further elucidation of their mechanism of action by allowing the investigation of activity over time domains precluded by traditional microbiology.

Electrochemically activated solutions: evidence for antimicrobial efficacy and applications in healthcare environments

Due to the limitations associated with the use of existing biocidal agents, there is a need to explore new methods of disinfection to help maintain effective bioburden control, especially within the healthcare environment. The transformation of low mineral salt solutions into an activated metastable state, by electrochemical unipolar action, produces a solution containing a variety of oxidants, including hypochlorous acid, free chlorine and free radicals, known to possess antimicrobial properties. Electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) have been shown to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and have the potential to be widely adopted within the healthcare environment due to low-cost raw material requirements and ease of production (either remotely or in situ). Numerous studies have found ECAS to be highly efficacious, as both a novel environmental decontaminant and a topical treatment agent (with low accompanying toxicity), but they are still not in widespread use, particularly within the healthcare environment. This review provides an overview of the scientific evidence for the mode of action, antimicrobial spectrum and potential healthcare-related applications of ECAS, providing an insight into these novel yet seldom utilised biocides.

Evaluation of the efficacy of electrochemically activated solutions against nosocomial pathogens and bacterial endospores

Electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) are generated from halide salt solutions via specially designed electrolytic cells. The active solutions are known to possess high biocidal activity against a wide range of target microbial species, however, literature revealing the kill-kinetics of these solutions is limited. The aim of the study was to identify the kill-rate and extent of population kill for a range of target species (including endospores) using ECAS generated at the anode (anolyte). Standard suspensions of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus atrophaeus spores and Clostridium difficile spores were treated with anolyte in a quantitative suspension assay. For vegetative cells, all concentrations of anolyte tested reduced the viable population to below the detection limit within 10 s. At a concentration of 99%, anolyte produced a log(10) reduction factor of greater than five in viable B. atrophaeus endospores within 90 s and reduced numbers of C. difficile endospores to below the experimental detection limit within 20 s at concentrations of 5% or greater. Anolyte was highly effective in killing test-bacteria and spores. The bactericidal efficacy was retained against vegetative cells at dilutions as low as 1% and against C. difficile spores as low as 5%. The results of this study demonstrate that ECAS are effective at lower concentrations and act more rapidly than previously reported. Potent bactericidal and sporicidal activity coupled with point-of-use generation, low production-costs and environmental compatibility suggest that acidic ECAS has the potential to be a useful addition to the current armoury of disinfectants.

Antibacterial Efficacy of Electrochemically Activated Solution for Poultry Spraying and Chilling

ABSTRACTAn electrochemically activated solution (EAS) was evaluated for its antibacterial efficacy against Salmonella typhimurium on chicken carcasses during inside/outside (I/O) birdwasher spraying at 20°C and 413 kPa for 17s and chilling at 4°C for 45 min in a pilot plant. The EAS with 50 ppm of oxidants in terms of free chlorine (CI) in the I/O spray reduced Salmonella on carcasses by 1.39 log10 CFU/carcass, whereas tap water and a 50 ppm (CI) hypochlorite solution reduced Salmonella by 0.86 and 0.87 log10 CFU/carcass, respectively. Further chilling using iced EAS (50 ppm of CI) did not reduce Salmonella on carcasses but eliminated Salmonella in the chiller water.