## 4 Discussion  
The biocidal effect of electrolyzed water against the aquatic pathogen _V. harveyi_ has been evaluated. The quick effectiveness of 125 ppm FAC in reducing bacterial populations in less than 1 min underscores its potential utility for surface and facility disinfection. However, this high concentration may not be suitable for applications involving living organisms [29]. In contrast, lower concentrations (25 ppm) achieved significant reductions over time, demonstrating their feasibility for safer applications. This aligns with findings from previous studies, which have shown the high efficacy of hypochlorous acid (HOCI) in similar concentrations under moderately acidic conditions, emphasizing its potency compared to other chlorine species [17]. The variability in bacterial concentrations observed within the experiments is due to the differential growth (or yield rate) of the bacteria  
Figure 3: Survival of _Vibrio harveyi_ C2 strain in electrolyzed water with 25 ppm of free available chlorine recently generated and stored for 3 and 8 days at 5 \({}^{\circ}\)C.  
among replicates. As they are living organisms, their growth can be affected by any environmental parameter. Additionally, the drastic effect observed in the PBS trials (in absence of organic matter) highlights the medium's influence on EW's antibacterial activity. These findings align with previous studies that emphasize the critical role of the medium in determining disinfectant efficacy [30]. For instance, research has shown that organic matter can react with available chlorine, reducing its effectiveness and necessitating adjustments in disinfection protocols [31]. The additional assays further underscored the importance of balancing FAC concentration and treatment duration. Although SBEW20 and SBEW25 proved effective, the enhanced performance observed at higher salinity (3%) suggests that environmental salinity plays a crucial role in improving disinfection. These results corroborate findings from similar studies, which indicate that increasing salinity during EW production can enhance antimicrobial efficacy by improving the electrical conductivity and the generation of active chlorine species [32]. When compared to prior studies, such as [PERSON] et al. [28], which required highly acidic conditions and higher chlorine concentrations, this study demonstrates a significant advancement. Equivalent bacterial reductions were achieved at moderate pH and FAC concentrations, reducing the risks associated with extreme conditions. Furthermore, the rapid and substantial bacterial reductions observed in this study, especially at 125 ppm FAC, highlight the superior efficacy of EW compared to findings from [PERSON] et al. [21]. The multivariate analysis provided additional insights, emphasizing FAC, time, and pH-salinity interactions as the primary variables influencing disinfection. Although no synergies were found between these factors, their independent contributions offer opportunities for targeted optimizations in disinfection protocols. The role of salinity as a facilitator for optimal bacterial survival conditions aligns with prior research suggesting that salinity can enhance the production and stability of hypochlorous acid (HOCI) under certain conditions [32]. Lastly, the emphasis on treatment duration as a critical factor reinforces the need to carefully consider both chemical and application variables when developing protocols across industries such as food safety and environmental management. About the development of chlorine residuals, the findings underscore the potential of low-concentration EW solutions to effectively reduce bacterial populations while limiting residual chlorine levels. The almost complete reduction in bacteria within 10 min highlights the solution's efficiency, making it a promising option for disinfection protocols where minimal residues are required.