Electrolysed Water in the Food Industry as Supporting of Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

Food safety is a priority for the food industry and to achieve this result a correct plant sanitation programme is of the utmost importance. Among various disinfection techniques, an emerging one is represented by the use of electrolysed water (EW) as the disinfecting agent. The use of EW is compliant with the desire to find alternatives to chlorination and heat treatments, representing a green cleaning alternative to toxic disinfectants. EW is an activated liquid, obtained by passing a diluted saline solution (NaCl, KCl or MgCl 2 ) through an electrolytic cell, thus causing the production from the anode side of electrolysed oxidising water, containing high dissolved oxygen, free chlorine and characterised by a low pH (2.3-2.7) and a high oxidation-reduction potential (ORP > 1,000 mV). At the same time from the cathode side electrolysed reduced water is produced, with high pH (10.0-11.5), high dissolved hydrogen and low ORP (À800 to À900 mV). Unlike other chemical disinfectants, EW is not harmful for skin and mucous membranes and is quite easy to handle. Furthermore, the use of EW is relatively inexpensive and, above all, is a sustainable technique. Currently used sanitisers (e.g. glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, etc.) are effective, but their adverse effects on the environment are well known. Differently from these chemicals, the use of EW has a reduced impact on the environment and because of its properties, it may find several applications in the food industry. In this work, the characteristics and some EW applications as sustainable sanitation technique applied in the food industry are reported and discussed.

Synergistic effect of electrolyzed water generated by sodium chloride combined with dimethyl dicarbonate for inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes on lettuce

“…Considering that the high ORP of EW or SEW might affect ATP production and that the formed ATP could be lost due to broken cell membranes, it is likely that the energy supply cannot meet the bacterial physical demand for energy under adverse stress. 35 Moreover, a high FAC value caused a decrease in the metabolic compounds within the biofilm cells, resulting in cell death and removal, especially in the case of SEW treatment. SEW could accelerate the degradation of EPS and enhance cell membrane permeability.…”

“…Once the structural stability is disrupted, the biofilm cells would become exposed to the adverse environments of high FAC, high pH and high ORP values. Considering that the high ORP of EW or SEW might affect ATP production and that the formed ATP could be lost due to broken cell membranes, it is likely that the energy supply cannot meet the bacterial physical demand for energy under adverse stress 35 . Moreover, a high FAC value caused a decrease in the metabolic compounds within the biofilm cells, resulting in cell death and removal, especially in the case of SEW treatment.…”

Long-term trial of a community-scale decentralized point-of-use drinking water treatment system

“…Electrochemical generation of chlorine disinfectants, such as hypochlorous acid (HOCl), has been widely employed in healthcare settings [26] and the food production industry [27,28] as it allows high quality disinfectants to be produced on demand and in-situ, with minimal resources required (NaCl, water and electricity). Electrochemically generated chlorine solutions, frequently referred to as electrolysed water (EW), electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) and electrolysed oxidising water (EOW), can be generated through the electrolysis of a weak saline solution [29].…”

Electrolysed oxidising water as a multi‐purpose biocide in dental healthcare—A scoping review

“…In 2002, the United States Food and Drug Administration designated "superoxidised water" (~144 mg HOCl/L at pH between 5.0 and 6.5, and ORP > 950 mV) as a "high-level disinfectant" with a 5-min contact time under clean conditions within 48 h of generation. EOW has been assessed 22,27,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] and reviewed 14,25,[37][38][39] in food industries and veterinary sciences. 40 Its effectiveness in disinfecting hospital surfaces (simulated and actual test conditions) [41][42][43][44][45] and in carehome settings 46 when applied either as a liquid or as an aerosol (vapour) has been reported favourably.…”