JPH0819782A - Electrolyzed water and production and use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the perfectly same sterilizing effect as a conventional product using only electrolytic acidic water on an anode side even when electrolyzed water formed by performing electrolysis without providing a diaphragm between an anode and a cathode is used as a mixture as it is without distinction of cathode and anode sides and to enhance the productivity of electrolyzed water. CONSTITUTION:Water is electrolyzed without providing a diagraphm between an anode and a cathode. It is pref. to add a small amt. of salts to water to be electrolyzed in order to enhance the efficiency of electrolysis. The electrolyzed water thus obtained inclines to an alkaline side as compared with pH 2-3 of electrolytic acidic water of a conventional method to become a pH range of about 7-10 but has the same sterilzing effect as conventional acidic water. However, since this electrolyzed water is slightly inferior to effect lasting power, it is more pref. to employ a system arranging an electrolytic cell on the way of the piping of tap water to provide electrodes and performing electrolysis at a time of use to obtain fresh electrolyzed water. Since alkali water on a cathode side discarded up to now can be used as a product, productivity is enhanced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention provides a method for producing electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action against various pathogenic microorganisms, a method for using the electrolyzed water for sterilization, and electrolyzed water thus produced. To do.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, in medical practice, pathogenic microorganisms, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (hereinafter referred to as MRSA).
(Abbreviated as)) infection prevention has become an issue, and for that purpose, reliable sterilization and disinfection are emphasized. Since these pathogenic microorganisms, especially MRSA, cannot be expected to be treated with antibiotics, they are particularly dangerous for patients with decreased resistance such as after surgery, which may even lead to a life threat. Therefore, in hospitals and clinics, not only disinfection of the surrounding environment but also thorough sterilization of patients and medical staff by hand washing disinfection is encouraged to prevent infection.

However, washing with soapy water has an insufficient bactericidal effect, and disinfection with a chemical solution has been an obstacle to the generation of resistant bacteria and skin damage due to skin irritation, and the smell of disinfectant. . In recent years, water called electrolyzed acidic water generated on the anode side during electrolysis of physiological saline contains active oxygen (ozone), hypochlorite ion, chlorine, etc., and has various pathogenic properties including MRSA. It has been found that it is extremely effective in sterilizing microorganisms and that it does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks of soapy water and disinfectant, and has been used in medical institutions, restaurants and the like. In addition, a device for easily producing electrolyzed acidic water is commercially available. Figure 1 shows the principle of generation of electrolyzed acidic water
Shown in In FIG. 1, 1 is a diaphragm, 2 is acidic water, and 3 is alkaline water.

The electrolytic acidic water produced on the anode side is also called acidic water because it has a pH of about 2 to 3, and is not corrosive like sulfuric acid and nitric acid having similar pH, and various types including MRSA. As it has a strong bactericidal effect against pathogenic microorganisms, it is not only applied to the patient's skin, eyes, oral cavity, nasal cavity, fingers, etc. in the medical field, but also as toilet hand wash water, cleaning tool sterilization, and medical worker hand wash disinfection water. At present, its manufacturing equipment is commercially available under the name of super-oxidized water. Moreover, it is expected to be effective not only in the medical field but also in preventing food poisoning and pests.

[0005]

By the way, electrolytic acidic water having such effects has a pH of 2 to 3 and an oxidation-reduction potential of 1000.
It is said that mv or more and dissolved chlorine dozens of ppm or more, one of the causes of its effectiveness is attributed to its pH (2 to 3), and it is considered to be ineffective unless it is acidic. Further, it has been said that salt must be added to electrolyzed water in order to generate hypochlorite ions, chlorine and the like on the anode side. And in order to produce these electrolyzed acidic water, water with added salt is electrolyzed by providing a diaphragm between the anode and the cathode, the alkaline cathode side water is discarded, and only the acidic water obtained from the anode side is discarded. Was using. Therefore, only half of the electrolyzed water was useful and the productivity was low. Moreover, a considerable amount of labor was required to maintain the diaphragm.

[0006] Here, unexpectedly, the present inventors electrolyzed without providing a diaphragm between the anode and the cathode, and used the electrolyzed water as it was as a mixture without distinction between the cathode side and the anode side. It has been found that the same sterilizing effect as that of the above-mentioned electrolyzed acidic water can be obtained even when it is present. It was also found that electrolysis water with sufficient sterilization can be obtained by simply electrolyzing ordinary tap water without adding special salt. Probably, even if hypochlorite ion, chlorine, etc. are not produced, only active oxygen is produced, which is considered to have a sufficient bactericidal effect.

[0007]

Therefore, the present invention relates to a method for producing electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action by electrolyzing without providing a diaphragm between an anode and a cathode. As the water to be electrolyzed, tap water is sufficient as long as it is not pure water, but it is more preferable to add a small amount of salts because the electrolysis efficiency can be increased.

The present invention also relates to a method for sterilizing electrolyzed water produced by the method of electrolyzing without providing a diaphragm between the anode and the cathode. The invention further relates to the electrolyzed water produced in this way. The present invention is preferably a method for producing electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action by electrolyzing by providing an electrode in the middle of a water supply pipe, a method of using the electrolyzed water thus produced for sterilization, and It also relates to the electrolyzed water.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. The method for producing electrolyzed water of the present invention is the same as in the production of conventional electrolytic acidic water, but electrolysis is performed without providing a diaphragm between the anode and the cathode. It is preferable to add a small amount of salt to the electrolyzed water in order to increase the efficiency of electrolysis, but not only the tap water contains chlorine for disinfection,
Since it also contains oxygen, carbon dioxide, and various minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and potassium, tap water is sufficient as it is without adding salts, and the generated electrolyzed water as a whole is obtained as a mixture. .

In the method of the present invention, since no diaphragm is used, electrolyzed water produced without distinction between the anode side and the cathode side can be obtained as a whole as a product, and only the electrolytic acidic water produced on the conventional anode side can be obtained. The productivity is doubled as compared with the method of obtaining, and there is no waste of discarding the amount generated on the cathode side. Moreover, the maintenance cost of the diaphragm is not required, which is economically extremely advantageous.

Since addition of salt is not an essential condition,
There is no need for a salt addition device, and if added, the amount is small, which is also an economic advantage. In the conventional method, the desired effect of electrolyzed acidic water was adjusted by adjusting the amount of added salt, but according to the present invention, electrolyzed water having a sufficient bactericidal effect can be obtained without necessarily adding salt. It turned out to be obtained. However, when salt is not added, it is preferable to flow a larger current as compared with the case where it is not added.

The current passed by the electrolysis method of the present invention depends on the sterilizing power desired for the electrolyzed water, but is the upper limit of 70 μ which is recognized as an electric stimulator by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
When an ampere current is applied, it takes about 1 hour to sterilize MRSA. MRSA with 1 amp current
Die in 1 second. The strength of the electric current may be appropriately selected and used according to the purpose of use of the electrolyzed water.

Therefore, in the electrolysis method of the present invention, the apparatus can be remarkably simplified as compared with the conventional method. If you set up an electrolysis tank in the middle of the water pipe and install a series of electrolyzers such as electrodes, DC power supply, and switch, and set it so that the electric current flows at the same time as turning the tap of the water tap, it will be easy and convenient. Since electrolyzed water can be obtained, fresh electrolyzed water can be provided in equipment such as medical institutions for disinfection, hand-washing facilities, toilet washers, restaurants and water tanks in buildings.

The electrolyzed water obtained by the electrolyzing method of the present invention is inclined to the alkali side as compared with the pH 2-3 of the electrolyzed acidic water of the conventional method, and the pH is within the range of about 7-10. Conventionally, it was said that the acidity of electrolyzed acidic water was one of the causes of the effect, so it is unexpected that electrolyzed water having a pH different from that of the conventional electrolyzed acidic water of the present invention also has the same effect. It was However, the conventional electrolytic acid water is said to remain effective for about one month in a cool and dark place, but the electrolytic water of the present invention is slightly less effective, so an electrolytic cell is installed in the middle of a water pipe to install electrodes. It is more preferable to use a system in which the above is provided and electrolysis is performed at the time of use to obtain fresh electrolyzed water.

The electrolyzed water obtained by the electrolysis method of the present invention is effective in sterilizing various pathogenic bacteria including MRSA. The bactericidal effect of the electrolyzed water obtained by the method of the present invention against four kinds of bacteria was tested. The electrolyzed water used was produced by using ordinary tap water and applying an electric current of 8 amps to obtain 1 L / min of electrolyzed water. Effective chlorine concentration 0.3ppm, redox potential 177mv, pH 7.
75. The apparatus used was a commercially available electrolytic acidic water producing apparatus with a diaphragm, from which the diaphragm was removed.

The bacteria and the electrolyzed water were kept warm at 25 ° C., the reaction was stopped by adding an equal volume of 0.6% sodium thiosulfate solution over time, and the mixture was applied to an agar plate and incubated at 37 ° C. for 48 hours. The number of remaining bacteria was counted. The results obtained are shown in Table 1.

[0017]

[Table 1] Further, salt was added to ordinary tap water, and the sterilizing effect of electrolyzed water obtained in the same manner as above was also tested. Effective chlorine concentration 15ppm, redox potential 91mv, pH 5.41. The obtained results are shown in Table 2.

[0018]

[Table 2] As is clear from Table 1 and Table 2, the electrolyzed water obtained by the electrolysis method of the present invention kills various pathogenic bacteria including MRSA in a short time of 10 seconds or less at the earliest, and at most 1 minute or less. Can prevent food poisoning, disinfection of injuries,
It can be used for disinfecting clothes, mats, washing dishes, etc. In addition, AIDS virus and various hepatitis viruses can be killed in 10 seconds or less, and the occurrence of infectious diseases can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of antibiotics used and contribute to the suppression of the development of resistant bacteria.

The relationship between the concentration of electrolyzed water obtained by the electrolysis method of the present invention and the number of surviving bacteria of Escherichia coli is shown in FIG. 2 in comparison with conventional electrolyzed acidic water. The mixed solution in FIG. 2 refers to the electrolyzed water obtained in the present invention, the one obtained at the anode is acidic water, and the one obtained at the cathode is alkaline water. As you can see in Figure 2, for Escherichia coli,
Alkaline water has no effect, but the effect of the mixed solution is slightly inferior to that of acidic water, and is not so different from the effect of acidic water.

When no current is applied (0 μA) and 70
FIG. 3 shows a comparison of the bactericidal effect of the generated electrolyzed water on Escherichia coli when a current of μA is applied. As shown in Figure 3, when no current is applied (0 μA)
Has no bactericidal effect against Escherichia coli, but the number of surviving bacteria is rapidly reduced in the electrolyzed water produced at 70 μA. In general, the bactericidal efficacy of electrolyzed water depends largely on the strength of the applied electric current and the applied time. In addition, the electrolysis efficiency increases when salts are added.

[0021] Instead of the electrolyzed water itself obtained by the electrolysis method, an electrolyzer is installed in the middle of the water pipe and a series of electrolyzers such as electrodes, DC power supplies, and switches are set in a hand-washing room or toilet bowl. In this case, sufficient precautions should be taken to prevent electric shock and accidents should be prevented. The electrolyzer usually uses direct current, and it is necessary to invert the electrode in the middle to shake off the metal and the like adhering to the electrode as in the conventional diaphragm use method. Can be operated without maintenance for a long time. The electrolyzer does not necessarily have to be a complete direct current, and can be an alternating current that has been variously processed such as a full-wave rectified wave. If the phases are reversed, the attachment of ions will be eliminated and it will be more efficient.

[0022]

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Example 1 AαX-CX50 manufactured by Corona Industry Co., Ltd. except that the diaphragm was removed
Type 00 was used, tap water was introduced into it, and an electric current of 8 amperes was passed to obtain 1 L of electrolyzed water per minute. Effective chlorine concentration
It was 0.3 ppm, redox potential was 177 mv, and pH was 7.75.

When the feet of three athlete's foot patients (average age 33 years) were soaked once daily for 5 minutes in the generated electrolyzed water, the athlete's foot disappeared after one month and recurrence occurred even if the soaking was stopped. I didn't. Example 2 The same operation as in Example 1 was carried out except that salt was added to ordinary tap water to obtain an effective chlorine concentration of 15 ppm, and an electric current of 8 amperes was passed to obtain 1 L of electrolyzed water per minute. The redox potential is 91 mv and pH is 5.41.

The generated electrolyzed water was used in Example 1 for athlete's foot.
The effect was similar to that obtained in. Example 3 An electrolyzer 4 was provided in the middle of a water pipe as shown in FIG. 4, and an electrolyzer such as an electrode, a DC power source, and a switch was installed,
The generated electrolyzed water was used for hand washing to prevent bacterial infection.

It is also possible to install such a device as shown in FIG. 5 and use it as water for bidet after urination and defecation. Example 4 The pressure sores of a long-term hospitalized patient were sterilized three times daily using the electrolyzed water obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, and the pressure sores disappeared after about 1 month.

[0026]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, since a diaphragm is not used for producing electrolyzed water, maintenance of the membrane is unnecessary, and the product on the cathode side can be used, so that productivity is doubled and Can be eliminated, and even when the electrolysis device is installed during a medical period, the device becomes simple and industrially useful.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the principle of generation of conventional electrolytic acidic water.

FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the concentration of electrolyzed water obtained in the present invention and the number of surviving bacteria in comparison with conventional electrolyzed acidic water.

FIG. 3 shows that the electrolyzed water generated by applying a current of 0 μA and by applying a current of 70 μA is Escherichia ·
The bactericidal effect on stiffness is shown in comparison.

FIG. 4 shows an example of using electrolyzed water according to the present invention for hand washing.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the electrolyzed water according to the present invention is used as toilet wash water.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 diaphragm 2 acidic water 3 alkaline water 4 electrolytic layer

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A method for producing electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action by electrolyzing without providing a diaphragm between an anode and a cathode. 2. The method for producing electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action according to claim 1, wherein salts are added to the water to be electrolyzed. 3. The method for producing electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action according to claim 1, wherein an electrode is provided in the middle of a water pipe. 4. The method for producing electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action according to claim 1, which comprises electrolyzing with alternating current. 5. A method of using the electrolyzed water produced by the method of claim 1 for sterilization. 6. A method of using the electrolyzed water produced by the method of claim 2 for sterilization. 7. A method of using the electrolyzed water produced by the method of claim 3 for sterilization. 8. A method of using the electrolyzed water produced by the method of claim 4 for sterilization. 9. Produced by the method of claim 1,
Electrolyzed water with bactericidal action. 10. Electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action, produced by the method according to claim 2. 11. Electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action, produced by the method according to claim 3. 12. Electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action, produced by the method according to claim 4.