Formation of biosafety and greening of the production environment of food production with application of anolyte
Authors: Kuznetsov Alexander L. , Kapranova Anastasia S. , Knyazev Evgeny Y. , Suvorov Oleg A. 
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Electrochemically activated aqueous solutions are widely used in medical institutions, animal husbandry, as well as in large food processing facilities. This work presents a literature review on the use of electrochemically activated solutions in the food industry. These solutions can be used as a safe means for processing food raw materials, equipment, food containers, and surfaces of foodservice facilities. The question of using activated aqueous solutions in relation to foodservice establishments is not fully explored in the scientific literature.

Purpose: The aim of the research is to study the possibility of using electrochemically activated aqueous solutions as safe and environmentally friendly means for treating objects in the production environment to eliminate the risk of contamination by microorganisms.

Materials and Methods: Surfaces of the production environment were selected as the objects of study, including a table, scales, a knife, a slicer, and a gastronorm container. Sweet pepper fruits of the "Avangard" variety were chosen as non-heat-treated food products. An electrochemically activated aqueous solution of chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide compounds with a concentration of active substances of 0.5 ± 0.05 g/L (Anolyte ANK-SUPER) was chosen as the treatment agent. Microbiological studies were conducted using XLD Agar medium and petrifilms. To assess the effectiveness of treatment, microbiological studies were conducted with the determination of Coliform Bacteria (BGKP) and Mesophilic Aerobic and Facultative Anaerobic Microorganisms (KMAFAnM). To achieve acceptable microorganism counts for counting purposes, the tenfold dilution method was used. The residual active chlorine concentration was determined using the iodometric method to determine the actual concentrations of working solutions.

Results: The use of undiluted disinfectant with a concentration of 0.5 ± 0.05 g/L confirmed the effectiveness of electrochemically activated solutions against Coliform Bacteria (BGKP), with a significant reduction in the content of Mesophilic Aerobic and Facultative Anaerobic Microorganisms (KMAFAnM) compared to control samples. However, the results of the experiments suggest that parameter selection is required, specifically the concentration of the disinfectant and the duration of treatment depending on the object. The data obtained from preliminary experiments characterize the potential use of reduced concentrations of the working solution (no less than 0.05 ± 0.005 g/L of active chlorine), but do not confirm the possibility of full-scale application of the used concentrations due to the lack of quantitative data on the degree of contamination of the initial surfaces. The possibility of using the solutions as a single agent for treating both working surfaces and fruit and vegetable products has been demonstrated.

Conclusion: As a result of the conducted research, the effectiveness of disinfectants based on electrochemically activated solutions against Escherichia coli bacteria (BGKP) and the reduction of Mesophilic Aerobic and Facultative Anaerobic Microorganisms (KMAFAnM) has been confirmed. In addition, among the possible prospects for research, determining the minimum concentrations and contact times for achieving stable disinfecting effects can be mentioned. The results obtained showed that the use of electrochemically activated solutions ensured the biological safety of treated production objects and surfaces of thermally untreated food products. An alternative method of using electrochemically activated solutions as a universal environmentally friendly agent has been proposed. Thus, in foodservice establishments, an effective "green" technology based on electrochemically activated solutions can be implemented.