Antiseptic Effects and Biosafety of a Controlled-Flow Electrolyzed Acid Solution Involve Electrochemical Properties, Rather than Free Radical Presence

Abstract

Electrolyzed acid solutions produced by different methods have antiseptic properties due to the presence of chlorine and reactive oxygen species. Our aim was to determine whether a controlled-flow electrolyzed acid solution (CFEAS) has the ability to improve wound healing due to its antiseptic and antibiofilm properties. First, we demonstrated in vitro that Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to CFEAS, and the effect was partially sustained for 24 h, evidencing antibiofilm activity (p p p < 0.05, before vs. after) and removed the biofilm that was adhered to the wound, as we observed via histology from transversal sections of biopsies obtained before and after CFEAS treatment. In conclusion, the electrolyzed acid solution, produced by a novel method that involves a controlled flow, preserves the antiseptic and antibiofilm properties observed in other, similar formulas, with the advantage of being safe for eukaryotic cells; meanwhile, the antibiofilm activity is sustained for 24 h, both in vitro and in vivo.

Keywords

• biofilm
• cytotoxicity
• oxidation-reduction
• wound