Food preservation by
electrolysed water
Physiological Properties:
These pertain to the effects of a substance on biological systems within a living
organism.
Examples include absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs in
pharmacology.
Physiological properties are crucial in
understanding how substances interact with
biological systems and can influence health outcomes.
Physiochemical Properties:
These properties combine aspects of both physical and chemical properties.
They describe the physical
characteristics of a substance (such as size, shape, and solubility) in relation to
its chemical behavior (such as
reactivity or stability).
Physiochemical properties are often used in fields
like materials science, where understanding both physical structure and chemical
interactions is essential.
Electrolysis
Uses an electric current to drive a chemical reaction that would not otherwise
occur spontaneously. The word "lysis" means "to separate or break", so electrolysis
can be thought of as "breakdown via electricity". Electrolysis is used in
manufacturing to separate elements from ores, refine metals and compounds, and
produce hydrogen from water. For example, the Hall-H�roult process uses
electrolysis to produce aluminum, and electrolysis can also be used to produce
carbon-free hydrogen from renewable and nuclear resources.
Hydrolysis:
Definition: Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction where a compound reacts with water,
leading to the breakdown of the compound into two or more products. Typically, one
of the products is a water molecule (H2O). This reaction often involves the
breaking of a covalent bond within the compound by water molecules.
Examples:
Salt Hydrolysis: When salts dissolve in water, hydrolysis can occur where the salt
ions react with water to produce acids or bases. For example,
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NaCl (sodium chloride) in water can hydrolyze to produce
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+
Na
+
and
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-
Cl
-
ions, which can further interact with water molecules.
Ester Hydrolysis: Ester (RCOOR) hydrolysis is another common example where esters
react with water to form an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.
Significance: Hydrolysis reactions are important in biological processes (e.g.,
digestion), industrial chemistry (e.g., soap production), and environmental
chemistry (e.g., weathering of minerals).
Hydration:
Definition: Hydration refers to the process of solvation or dissolving of a
substance in water, where water molecules surround and interact with ions or
molecules of the solute. It does not involve a chemical reaction where covalent
bonds within the solute are broken.
Examples:
Salt Dissolution: When salt (e.g.,
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NaCl) dissolves in water, the
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+
Na
+
and
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-
Cl
-
ions become surrounded by water molecules due to electrostatic interactions,
forming hydration shells.
Protein Hydration: In biological systems, proteins and other biomolecules are
hydrated when surrounded by water molecules, which are crucial for their structure
and function.
Significance: Hydration is essential for the dissolution of salts, solvation of
ions in solution, and the stability and function of biomolecules in living
organisms.
Ion from weak electrolyte (weak acid or weak base) undergoes hydrolysis (reaction
with water) and ion from strong electrolyte (strong acid and strong base) undergoes
hydration rather than hydrolysis.
Let's take an example of CH3COONa; CH3COO-- Hydrolysed, Na+- Hydrated
Why does NaCl not Hydrolysed by H2O?
NaCl is the salt of a strong acid - strong base combination (HCl and NaOH). For a
salt to undergo hydrolysis, at least one of the parent compounds (either the acid
or the base or both) SHOULD be weak. Salts derived from strong acid -strong base
combinations will not undergo hydrolysis.
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction in which a molecule of water breaks one or more
covalent chemical bonds, resulting in new compounds.
The dissociation of NaCl in water is a physical process and does not involve a
chemical reaction where new substances are formed. The Na? and Cl? ions remain as
separate entities in the solution and do not react with each other to form NaOH and
HCl.
In contrast, when you mix sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrochloric acid (HCl)
together, they undergo a chemical reaction known as a neutralization reaction. In
this reaction, the hydrogen ions (H?) from the acid react with the hydroxide ions
(OH?) from the base to form water (H2O). The remaining ions, Na? and Cl?, do not
participate in the reaction and remain in the solution.
When a salt is hydrated or simply reacted with mixed with water, the salt dissolves
because the covalent bonds of water are stronger than the ionic bonds in the salt
molecules. Water molecules pull the sodium and chloride ions apart, breaking the
ionic bond that held them together.
Always remember ionic bonds are weaker than covalent bonds. There will be no
displacement reactions.
Ionic bonds<Covalent bonds.
Ionic bonds are stronger than covalent bonds in a vacuum, but covalent bonds can
sometimes be stronger in an aqueous medium.
Element is the simplest subtance that cannot be broken down by any chemical
methods. Compound is made of two or more elements chemically combined together.
Mixture is made from two or more substances physically combined together.
Why a DC source in electrolysis and not an AC source
Direct current (DC) is used in electrolysis because it maintains the polarity of
the electrodes opposite throughout the process, which is necessary for ionization
to occur. Alternating current (AC) is not suitable for electrolysis because the
polarity of the electrodes would change continuously, preventing the ions from
being attracted to any particular electrode. This would result in uneven deposition
of ions in the electrodes and no ionization.
Oxidation
Is the loss of electrons, gain of oxygen, loss of hydrogen, or an increase in
oxidation number. An atom that loses electrons becomes oxidized.
Reduction
Is the gain of electrons, loss of oxygen, gain of hydrogen, or a decrease in
oxidation number. An atom that gains electrons becomes reduced
The main difference between a cell and a battery is the number of units. A cell is
a single unit that produces electricity, while a battery is made up of multiple
cells connected in series or parallel
A cell is a single unit of device that converts chemical energy into electrical
energy. A battery is a collection of cells that converts chemical energy into
electrical energy.
Batteries have two terminals, called positive (+) and negative (-), that control
the flow of electrons produced by chemical reactions inside the battery:
Negative terminal
Also called the cathode, this is the electrode from which electrons emerge.
Positive terminal
Also called the anode, this is the electrode that receives electrons. The positive
terminal has a higher potential than the negative terminal
The polarity of an anode depends on the type of cell it's in:
Fuel cells: The anode is negative, and the cathode is positive.
Batteries: During discharge, the anode is negative and the cathode is positive.
During charge, the anode is positive and the cathode is negative.
Diodes: The anode is positive, and the cathode is negative.
Galvanic cells: The anode is negative, and the cathode is positive. In these cells,
the anode is the source of electrons, which flow to the cathode.
Electrochemical Cell:
An electrochemical cell is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical
energy, or vice versa, through spontaneous redox reactions.
It consists of two electrodes (anode and cathode) immersed in an electrolyte
solution, where oxidation occurs at the anode (electron release) and reduction
occurs at the cathode (electron acceptance).
There are two main types of electrochemical cells: galvanic cell and electrolytic
cell:
Similarities
Both are electrochemical cells
Redox reaction takes place in both cells
Both cells contain Anode & Cathode
Oxidation takes place at Anode & reduction at Cathode.
Difference
Galvanic cell changes chemical energy into Electrical energy .
Anode is �ve
Cathode is +ve
Spontaneous reaction occurs.
Does not require external voltage source
Electrolytic cell Changes electrical energy into Chemical reaction.
Anode is +ve
Cathode is -ve
Non-Spontaneous reaction occurs.
Require external voltage source.
Distilled water is used in electrolysis because it's the purest form of water and
doesn't contain impurities or dissolved substances that could interfere with the
chemical reaction
H2O Molecular Geometry and Bond Angles
H2O has a tetrahedral arrangement of molecules or an angular geometry. This is
mainly because the repulsion from the lone pair combination is more than bond-pair
repulsion. Additionally, the existing pairs do not lie in the same plane. One pair
is below the plane and the other one is above. This bond geometry is commonly known
as a distorted tetrahedron.
As a result, the angle in a water molecule is 104.5� which again falls short of the
true tetrahedral angle of 109�.
ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential): This measures the ability of a substance to
oxidize or reduce another substance. In the case of electrolyzed water, it often
has a high oxidative potential, which means it can break down organic substances
like pesticides through oxidation.
ACC (Active Chlorine Content): This refers to the concentration of free chlorine
species (hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ion) in the electrolyzed water.
Chlorine compounds are effective at disinfection and can also degrade pesticide
residues.
Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) is a measure of the ability of a solution to
oxidize or reduce substances. In the context of microbial growth, ORP can indicate
the environment's potential to support aerobic (oxygen-using) or anaerobic (non-
oxygen-using) microbial activity.
For aerobic bacterial growth, the suitable ORP range typically falls between +200
mV and +800 mV. Here�s what this means:
ORP Basics:
A positive ORP value indicates an oxidizing environment, where there is a tendency
for substances to lose electrons (oxidation).
ORP is measured in millivolts (mV) relative to a standard reference electrode.
Aerobic Bacterial Growth:
Aerobic bacteria require oxygen for their metabolism. An ORP in the range of +200
mV to +800 mV is considered suitable because:
It indicates the presence of sufficient dissolved oxygen in the water or medium,
which is necessary for aerobic bacteria to thrive.
This range supports aerobic respiration, where bacteria use oxygen as the final
electron acceptor in their electron transport chain.
Significance of ORP Range:
Lower Limit (+200 mV): At this lower
end of the range, the environment is sufficiently oxidizing to support aerobic
bacterial growth. However, conditions may be more favorable towards facultative
anaerobes (organisms that can switch between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism).
Upper Limit (+800 mV): Towards the upper
end of the range, the environment remains oxygen-rich, promoting robust aerobic
microbial activity without significant limitations due to oxygen availability.
Application:
ORP measurements are used in various fields such as water treatment, food
processing, and environmental monitoring.
Monitoring ORP helps ensure that conditions are favorable for desired microbial
activities or to control microbial growth by adjusting environmental conditions.
Redox potential (also known as oxidation / reduction potential, ORP
is a measure of the tendency of a chemical species to acquire electrons from or
lose electrons to an electrode and thereby be reduced or oxidised respectively.
Redox potential is expressed in volts (V)
A solution with a higher (more positive) reduction potential than some other
molecule will have a tendency to gain electrons from this molecule (i.e. to be
reduced by oxidizing this other molecule) and a solution with a lower (more
negative) reduction potential will have a tendency to lose electrons to other
substances (i.e. to be oxidized by reducing the other substance)
Because the absolute potentials are next to impossible to accurately measure,
reduction potentials are defined relative to a reference electrode. Reduction
potentials of aqueous solutions are determined by measuring the potential
difference between an inert sensing electrode in contact with the solution and a
stable reference electrode connected to the solution by a salt bridge.[1]
The standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) is the reference from which all standard
redox potentials are determined, and has been assigned an arbitrary half cell
potential of 0.0 V.
Many enzymatic reactions are oxidation�reduction reactions, in which one compound
is oxidized and another compound is reduced. The ability of an organism to carry
out oxidation�reduction reactions depends on the oxidation�reduction state of the
environment, or its reduction potential
Strictly aerobic microorganisms are generally active at positive whereas strict
anaerobes are generally active at negative
Redox affects the solubility of nutrients, especially metal ions.
There are organisms that can adjust their metabolism to their environment, such as
facultative anaerobes. Facultative anaerobes can be active at positive Eh values,
and at negative Eh values in the presence of oxygen-bearing inorganic compounds,
such as nitrates and sulfates.
Water quality
For example, E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria and other pathogens have survival times
of less than 30 seconds when the ORP is above 665 mV, compared to more than 300
seconds when ORP is below 485 mV.
Oxygen (O2): It has a high positive standard reduction potential (E�) of +0.82
volts when compared to the SHE. This indicates that oxygen has a high tendency to
gain electrons (i.e., be reduced) compared to hydrogen under standard conditions.
This is why oxygen is a strong oxidizing agent in many chemical reactions�it
readily accepts electrons from other substances.
Hydrogen (H2): It has a low standard reduction potential of -0.42 volts when
compared to the SHE. This means that hydrogen has a low tendency to gain electrons
(be reduced) compared to the SHE. In other words, hydrogen gas is a good reducing
agent�it readily loses electrons
Palatability refers to how pleasing or acceptable a food is to taste. It
encompasses factors such as flavor, texture, aroma, and appearance that contribute
to the overall eating experience.
After EOW has been used for sterilization or disinfection purposes, it can indeed
be converted back to ordinary water. Here�s how this conversion generally works:
Chemical Decomposition: EOW, particularly the active chlorine species, can degrade
over time due to factors such as exposure to light, temperature changes, and
contact with organic matter. This decomposition process can result in the
conversion of the active chlorine back into chloride ions (Cl?) and water (H2O).
Dilution: EOW can be diluted with ordinary water to reduce the concentration of
active chlorine to safe levels suitable for disposal or reuse without posing a risk
to health or the environment. Dilution helps to neutralize any residual
disinfecting properties and returns the solution to a more neutral state.
Environmental Degradation: If EOW is discharged into the environment, natural
processes such as exposure to sunlight and microbial action can further break down
any remaining active chlorine species into harmless chloride ions and water
molecules.
In many systems, an increase in pH leads to a decrease in ORP because the pH change
alters the concentrations of H? and OH? ions, thereby affecting the redox
equilibrium of the substances involved in redox reactions. This relationship is
complex and specific to the particular redox couples involved, but the general
principle holds true across many chemical systems.
Cleansing:
Purpose: Cleansing involves the removal of visible dirt, debris, and non-living
organic matter from surfaces. The primary goal is to make surfaces visually clean
and free from unwanted substances that can harbor microbes or interfere with the
function of the surface.
Methods: Cleansing typically involves using surfactants (detergents), water, and
mechanical action (scrubbing or wiping) to physically remove dirt and oil-based
substances. Surfactants help to lift and suspend dirt particles in water for easier
removal.
Sanitization:
Purpose: Sanitization is the process of reducing the number of microorganisms on a
surface to a safe level determined by public health standards. The goal is to
minimize the risk of infection or contamination by reducing microbial populations.
Methods: Sanitization can be achieved through various methods, including chemical
sanitizers (like chlorine-based or other disinfectants), heat (steam or hot water),
or other physical methods that effectively kill or reduce microbial populations.
High Acidic Electrolyzed Water (AEW):
Purpose: AEW is highly effective as a sanitizer due to its high concentration of
free chlorine (hypochlorous acid, HOCl) and low pH (acidic conditions).
Effectiveness: AEW is capable of rapidly killing a broad spectrum of
microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The low pH enhances its
antimicrobial activity, and HOCl is a potent oxidizing agent that disrupts
microbial cell membranes and enzymes.
Alkaline Electrolyzed Water (AlEW):
Purpose: AlEW is primarily used for cleaning and removing organic residues such as
oils, fats, and proteins from surfaces.
Effectiveness: AlEW has a higher pH (alkaline conditions), which helps in breaking
down and emulsifying fats and oils, making them easier to remove from surfaces.
