Antimicrobial Properties of Electrochemically Activated Solutions of Carboxylic Acid Salts vs. Sodium Chloride

Alternative disinfection methods involve no chlorine-containing solutions, which, despite their effectiveness, generate toxic by-products. This research compared the physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of electrolytic sodium chloride with electrochemically activated solutions of carboxylic acid salts (sodium acetate, citrate, lactate). The focus was on safety and sustainability. Unsing an electrolysis unit with a diaphragm electrochemical module and electrochemically activated 1% salt solutions, the authors studied the redox potential, the hydrogen ion activity index (pH), the oxidant content (active chlorine equivalent), and the in-vitro bactericidal efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strains ATCC 25668, resistant pc 47, 10 min exposure). The sodium lactate provided microbial reduction by 4–6 lg CFU/cm3 while sodium acetate and citrate solutions were less effective (3.9–4.9 and 3.4–4.0 lg CFU/cm3, respectively). In case of sodium chloride, the reduction was as high as 8 lg CFU/cm3, the initial titers being 8.0 and 8.2 lg CFU/cm3. The electrolytic monosolutions of carboxylic acid salts (Kolbe reaction) demonstrated low results in bactericidal agents, pH, and oxidation-reduction potential. Carboxylic acid salts combined with sodium chloride could synergistically enhance the antimicrobial effect while reducing toxic by-products. If optimized, such electrolysis parameters as voltage, current strength, and initial solutions may increase the disinfection efficiency. The results obtained can be used to develop environmentally safe disinfectants for the food industry.