History of Electro-Chemically Activated (ECA) Solutions
Historic Development and Use of Electro-Chemically Activated Solutions
The scientific principles of electro-chemically activated solutions (ECA solutions) were developed in the 1970s by Russian scientists. A simple saline solution was used in a highly specialized electrolytic process to produce an acidic oxidizing solution (anolyte) with exceptional disinfecting properties as well as a basic, reductive solution (catholyte). Caused by the electro-chemical activation, this saline solution is transferred to a metastable state (= activated state), which is characterized by exceptional chemical and physical parameters. After some time has passed, the so-called relaxation time, the ECA solutions react back into their original state. Thus, only water and salts remain.
The antimicrobial efficiency of this anolyte solution is based on the interaction of the oxidative ions, the high redox potential (> 1100 mV) and the low pH. Hence, they are superior to common chemical disinfectants. Studies have shown that ECA solutions kill 99.99% of all germs, and they are 120 times more efficient than common sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach). Due to its non-selective antimicrobial activity, it does not promote resistances, which is an issue that is today more relevant than ever.
Soon after their discovery in Russia, ECA solutions were used for the treatment of drinking water in their national space program and in hospitals for disinfecting purposes. In the 1980s, they became popular in Japan, as well. There, they were first used to sterilize medical instruments; this was followed by applications in the cultivation of plants and livestock farming. Today, due to the development of new high-performance materials for electrolysis systems, the industrial application of ECA solutions has become an established eco-friendly and user-friendly technology in many different fields all over the world. Examples of their application are particularly their use in water treatment, in the food industry, beverage industry, livestock farming, landscaping, mushroom cultivation and aquaculture. In the US and Canada, ECA solutions are approved for the use in food preparation processes that involve direct and indirect contact with food. Even fresh-cut foods like salads, fruits and vegetables may be disinfected without requiring a subsequent rinsing. In the US, ECA solutions are also approved as disinfectant in biological plant cultivation. ECA solutions are routinely used in hospitals and nursing homes for surface disinfection. There are also many possible fields of application in veterinary medicine, as well. Furthermore, ECA solutions are used for combating legionella and to prevent biofilms in water-conducting systems.
Countless scientific studies evidenced the exceptional efficacy against bacteria, fungi, algae and spores. There is even evidence for an efficacy against Hepatitis B viruses, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as well as different epidemics.
ECA Solutions in Wound Treatment
Apart from their use as disinfectant, the use of ECA solutions in the treatment of chronical wounds (like decubitus, ulcus cruris or diabetic foot syndrome) and burn injuries has proven to be very effective. It is not only possible to clean chronical wounds effectively; in many cases, the wounds even healed completely! Many patients already enjoyed the benefits of a treatment with ECA solutions. They did not have to endure unnecessary pain or dangerous inflammation, and even amputations, which are still a necessary measure in this context, could be prevented.
ECA Solutions in Plant Cultivation
For many years, ECA solutions have been used successfully worldwide for protecting plants against pathogens like mildew, monilinia, botrytis or pythium. Recent scientific studies conducted in Europe described the use of ECA solutions as nontoxic, eco-friendly pesticide and thus attracted attention among experts. The results of the studies show, that apart from the expected protection against plant pathogen like bacteria, viruses and fungi, another effect was found: where plants were sprayed with ECA solutions, they showed a positive immune response! That means that the plants start to form so-called pathogen induced defensive proteins so that they themselves can attack bacteria and fungi. In the experiments, the plants were not only able to defend themselves much better against pathogens; the scientists also discovered that the plant growth and the yield in fruits were much better than in control groups that did not receive the corresponding treatment. The study concludes that ECA solutions are an ecological alternative to conventional pesticides, that they are safe for the user, do not present risks for the environment and do not leave residuals on treated food.