A simple device producing electrolyzed water for home care

Abstract

The prevention of opportunistic infection for the elderly is important in home care. When water containing sodium chloride is electrolyzed with a electrolytic cell having two chambers of equal volume, strongly acidic electrolyzed water with strong bactericidal ability due to the available chlorine (AC) is generated on the anode side. Weakly to slightly acidic electrolyzed water (WSAcEW, pH 4.0 to 6.5) is physiological pH and is suitable for biological applications. For producing WSAcEW simply and at a low cost, the present device was made of an asymmetric structure having a large anode chamber and a small cathode chamber. As a result, the pH and AC concentration of conventional electrolytic device were 2.3 and 27 ppm and this water was strongly acidic water, however, those of present electrolytic device were 4.0 and 31 ppm, respectively. WSAcEW was obtained directly by this experimental device and this water showed a strong bactericidal activity against bacteria. This device is useful for producing WSAcEW as a disinfectant to employ at home care, since it returns to ordinary water after use.