Strong alkaline electrolyzed water efficiently inactivates SARS-CoV-2, other viruses, and Gram-negative bacteria

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2021-10, Vol.575, p.36-41
• Main Authors: Suzuki, Youichi, Hishiki, Takayuki, Emi, Akino, Sakaguchi, Shoichi, Itamura, Ronko, Yamamoto, Rain, Matsuzawa, Tamio, Shimotohno, Kunitada, Mizokami, Masashi, Nakano, Takashi, Yamamoto, Naoki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chlorine-free; Disinfection; Enveloped and non-enveloped viruses; Glam-negative bacteria; SAIW; SDGs
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.08.048

Air spaces and material surfaces in a pathogen-contaminated environment can often be a source of infection to humans, and disinfection has become a common intervention focused on reducing the contamination levels. In this study, we examined the efficacy of SAIW, a unique electrolyzed water with chlorine-free, high pH, high concentration of dissolved hydrogen, and low oxygen reduction potential, for the inactivation of several viruses and bacteria. Infectivity assays revealed that initial viral titers of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A virus, herpes simplex virus type 1, human coronavirus, feline calicivirus, and canine parvovirus, were reduced by 2.9- to 5.5-log10 within 30 s of SAIW exposure. Similarly, the culturability of three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Legionella) dropped down by 1.9- to 4.9-log10 within 30 s of SAIW treatment. Mechanistically, treatment with SAIW was found to significantly decrease the binding and subsequent entry efficiencies of SARS-CoV-2 on Vero cells. Finally, we showed that this chlorine-free electrolytic ion water had no acute inhalation toxicity in mice, demonstrating that SAIW holds promise for a safer antiviral and antibacterial disinfectant. ●Inactivation of microbes by SAIW, a unique electrolyzed water, was examined.●Short exposure with SAIW inactivated infectivity of viruses including SARS-CoV-2.●SAIW displayed anti-bacterial activity against three Gram-negative bacteria.●SAIW did not exhibit significant inhalation or skin irritation toxicity in vivo.●SAIW holds promise for an effective and safe disinfectant.