A novel approach to electroactivation: Designing an electro activated reactor to constrain the growth of MDR Salmonella strains by sodium caprylate solutions

The present research investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of various solutions of electroactivated salt of organic acid (sodium caprylate) against four multidrug-resistant strains of Salmonella: Salmonella enterica subsp . arizonae (MTCC 660) , Salmonella Newport (MTCC 3225) , Salmonella enterica ser. Typhi (MTCC 733) , Salmonella enterica ser . Paratyphi (MTCC 735). All the bacterial strains were obtained from the Microbial Type Culture Collection Centre (MTCC) at the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) in Chandigarh, India. The solutions were electroactivated in a three-section electrochemical cell, which included anodic, central, and cathodic sections, separated by an anionic exchange membrane (AEM) and cationic exchange membrane (CEM). Electric current strengths of 100 mA, 150 mA, 200 mA, and 250 mA were applied for 45 min. The salt solutions were prepared at concentrations of 0.5 M/L, 0.25 M/L, 0.125 M/L, 0.0625 M/L, and 0.0312 M/L. Their antibacterial efficacy was assessed at three concentrations: 1 %, 3 %, and 5 %. The 5 % solutions demonstrated superior inhibitory activity against all tested strains. Throughout the experiment, four different membrane locations and various amounts of the solutions were investigated. The 250 mA current intensity exhibited maximum inhibition at 5 % by sodium caprylate for MTCC 660 (33 ± 3). The electroactivated solution achieved a 5-log reduction (10 ⁵ ) for all bacterial strains. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) noted was 0.15 ± 0, and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 0.31 ± 0 at a current of 250 mA. In comparison to conjugated caprylic acid, the inactivating power of this electroactivated solution was significantly higher. This study demonstrated that electroactivation can generate exceptionally reactive organic acids from conjugated salts. These electroactivated solutions have the potential to serve as effective antimicrobial and sporicidal agents in the food preparation industry. • To improve the antibacterial effectiveness of sodium caprylate solutions against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella strains, an electroactivated reactor was developed, as a substitute for antimicrobial agents. • The strongest inhibition was demonstrated by electroactivated sodium caprylate solutions at 5 % concentration and 250 mA current. • The maximum antibacterial action was found to be 250 mA, and electroactivated solutions decrease the MIC and MBC values against Salmonella strains. • The electroactivation approach presents a viable and environmentally acceptable alternative for microbial management in the food business.