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Electric water kills bacteria without chemicals

By Sharon Omahen
University of Georgia

Water is one of the world’s most precious resources. But if you combine 
it with salt and an electrical charge, it becomes one of the strongest 
disinfectants, too.

Scientists at the University of Georgia are studying ways to use 
electrolyzed oxidized water, or EO water, to sanitize fresh chicken in 
processing plants along with other things. It can be up to 10 times more 
effective at killing harmful bacteria than traditional methods.

"We wanted to use the water on chicken carcasses to see if it cuts down 
on the levels of salmonella and campylobacter," said Yen-Con Hung, a 
food scientist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental 
Sciences.

EO water is created when a saltwater solution goes through an 
electrolysis process, said Hung. It separates the water’s positive and 
negative ions. This makes two forms of water, one very acidic and one 
very alkaline.

Working with CAES poultry scientist Scott Russell, Hung tested both 
forms of EO water on fresh chicken carcasses. They found the acidic EO 
water killed foodborne pathogens on the chicken. The alkaline EO water 
cleaned the chicken.

“The alkaline stream of EO water mixes with the fat on the chicken and 
cleanses the surface and protects the carcass in the future,” Russell 
said. “It’s just like when your grandmother mixed fat and lye to make soap.”

Pennsylvania-based Murray’s Chickens is the first poultry processor in 
the United States to use the UGA EO process to kill pathogens, Hung 
said.  EAU Technology holds the license on the UGA technology.

"In mass production, this technology would be very cost effective," Hung 
said. "When you want to use it, you push a button. You don't have to 
worry with mixing up concentrated liquids, and it's more effective than 
chlorine rinses."

In his laboratory on the UGA Griffin, Ga., Campus, Hung has found the 
acidic water effectively kills harmful bacteria on eggs, apples, lettuce 
and cutting boards. The alkaline water is a useful general cleanser.

The technology is widely used in Japan to sanitize dental and medical 
equipment. Many Japanese homes have EO washing machines that need no 
detergent. Koreans use it in dishwashers.

In the U.S., the wholesale and retail cut flower industry uses the water 
to prevent the spread of diseases and extend shelf life. “And the water 
doesn’t have to be changed every day,” Hung said.

Hung hopes to see the technology used in U.S. fast food restaurants.

“We’ve had several outbreaks of foodborne illness related to fast food. 
This could help prevent future cases,” Hung said.

(Sharon Omahen is a news editor with the University of Georgia College 
of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)
--
BevanRon of EarthNSky Farm   NW Georgia USDA Zone 7
34.498N 85.076W    Bev is Earth, Ron is Sky