Electrolysed Salt Solutions.

Karen Ryan   Head Microbiologist, Medipure Ltd

July 2003.    

Introduction

This is a discussion document designed to put into perspective the performance of electro-chemically activated salt solutions as biocides currently available in the UK .The purpose of this document is to share knowledge of the technology and assess the scope of applications in which it can be applied.

Suprox^© has many areas for application; however, in this document the main focus is the application of Suprox^© in the medical industry.

Superoxidised water is made by electro chemical activation technology using a membrane electrolyser and sodium chloride solution as an electrolyte.

Suprox^© liquids are an advanced and more widely useful range of electrolysed / superoxidised solutions developed by new and novel patented electrolytic cell technology.  The broad-spectrum solutions have neutral pH, low corrosion and low oxidation properties.

Various grades of Suprox^© can be made using this technology providing a range of biocides kind to the environment and humans with the benefits of meeting most challenges in contemporary infection control. Such lucrative properties have enabled Suprox^© to be used in Hospitals around the world both as a surface cleaner and a high-grade disinfectant for decontamination of surgical instruments and endoscopes.

Suprox^© can be generated on site or supplied pre-made and used for all types of hospital sanitation in safety. It has a broad spectrum kill on a wide range of microorganisms including yeasts, moulds and bacterial spores. Suprox^© is fast acting and compares favourably with Glutaraldehyde, Peracetic Acid and Chlorine Dioxide in performance. Biofilms are effectively removed.

Suprox^© is available in various grades, depending on the application required, all of which can be supplied from Medipure. See Table 1

Suprox B^©

Suprox B^© is made using a different electrode system.  Most importantly, it has a long stable shelf life of a minimum of 10 weeks, producing a solution that passes HIRL test conditions. It may cause cosmetic damage to endoscope coatings, thus a protective film would be required, and therefore, Medipure does not recommend this grade for endoscope reprocessing. There are more suitable grades available which are only marginally less sporicidal. 

The use of Suprox B^© as a surface cleaner in a container or spray, is numerous.

Suprox ANK^©

Suprox ANK^© is a biocide that will work under dirty conditions to EN 1276 that will also kill Bacillus subtilus var niger spores in the presence of 0.8 % Horse serum in 5 mins. When stored it remains sporicidal for up to 2 years under clean conditions (absence of horse serum). It is bactericidal under dirty conditions for over 12 months when stored.

Suprox A^©

Suprox A^© is sometimes call electrolysed acid water. It has a high Redox potential with a low pH. This generic type solution is approved in Japan for surface sanitation and hand washing. It is quite short lived and is made fresh with a generator.  Medipure have a generator for each of the approved markets.

Suprox^© can also be made at intermediate strengths between ANK and B. These solutions have varying sporicidal and storage properties. The trade off for ‘strength’ is shortening of shelf life.

They have the suffix ANK/1^©; ANK/2 ^©.

Suprox ANK / S^©.

Made by blending Suprox ANK^© with a non-ionic surfactant. It retains all the properties of ANK and stores for up to 2 years. Sporicidal performance is achieved after 15 minutes.

The surfactant enhances the wetting characteristics and hence the cleaning effect of Suprox ANK^© making it ideal as a detergent for washer disinfectors [adding to the overall contact time].

Suprox^© can be used as a spray or in wipe form and can be blended with surfactant and fragrance. This would have the suffix Suprox B/SF^© or Suprox ANK/SF^©.

Suprox^© can be blended with water to make a large range of products to control infection from foot treatments to mouthwash. These formulations will declare the concentration of Suprox^© in use within the product

The Japanese Health Ministry and the South Korean Health authorities approve Acid Electrolysed Water as a germicidal general-purpose sanitizer. It is supplied to site as a generator.  Several washer disinfector designs are being considered for UK approvals using this technology.  Several Japanese and South Korean companies are active. It cannot meet HTM 2030 standards and is therefore unacceptable. It may have a future outside HTM 2030 – Suprox A generators are available from Medipure NOW

Overall Suprox ANK^© is the most useful of the Suprox^© liquids as it can be used in wipes, sprays and retains its sporicidal properties over a long period of time. The use of this very special liquid in a bottle is itself unique, in today’s market place. This property allows for much wider usage by large and small users. Generation equipment is not necessary since it can be delivered pre-generated. 

Table 1. Microbiological performance of electrolysed brine technology.

(a) Testing carried out by Don Whitely Scientific, following EN1276 testing standard.

(b) Testing carried out by HIRL (C.R. Bradley).

(d) Tested in-house at Medipure Ltd.

Note 1 - Actual storage times 20-24 months. Commercial storage declared 3 to 12 months depending on product.

Note 2 - Channel Flush capability at 70cc/min in 10 mins carried out to Medipure SOP (standard operating procedure) with surrogate endoscopes and bacteria / Bacillus subtilis spores under dirty conditions (1% Horse Serum}. Log 6 reduction.  HTM 2030 protocol.

Note 3 - Bio-film Removal: 10 min soak removes log 6 bacteria from biofilm  - HTM 2030 protocol

The Medipure data and standard official procedures as well as the reports for commissioned work from the HIRL and Don Whiteley Scientific are available on request.

More Information on the range of products and applications is available from   www.processtech.co.uk

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