Agricultural Applications
Published as well as commissioned studies to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of the anolyte ECA solution against significant fungal contaminants present in the water of high risk greenhouse and hydroponic crops detailed significant inactivation efficacy under in-vitro conditions (Buck et al., 2002; Mueller et al., 2003).
The ECA solution anolyte was assessed over various concentrations and exposure periods as an antimicrobial agent for the inactivation of the microconidia of Fusarium oxysporum cubense (Foc), a fungal pathogen of global significance responsible for Fusarium wilt or Panama disease in banana plantations. As part of the same study, the same solution was evaluated for its antimicrobial efficacy against Fusarium circinatum, an economically important fungal pathogen responsible for pitch canker and root rot in pine seedling nurseries. It was found that the anolyte applied at a 1:100 dilution rate, with a 10 minute exposure was effective in eliminating both Foc and F. circinatum at initial challenge levels of 104 microconidia spores per ml (Groenewald et al., 2002).
A similar study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of the anolyte against common fungal and bacterial pathogens present in intensive hydroponic systems. The anolyte was tested over a range of concentrations and exposure periods against water borne Pythium zoospores, Fusarium conidia and the gram negative bacterium Ralstonia, and in all cases a 100% kill was recorded after a 10 minute exposure at a 1:10 concentration (Bagnall, 2007). ECA solutions were applied at inclusion rates in excess of 1:20 (Bagnall, 2007).
Furthermore, the inclusion of anolyte into the recirculating irrigant water at a rate of 1:50 resulted in a 43% increase in biomass yield relative to the untreated control in a small scale hydroponic study (Labuschagne and Bagnall, 2003). An assessment of the ability of this ECA solution to inactivate Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) indicated that the exposure of the virus suspension to a 1:200 strength ECA anolyte solution for a 10 minute period, resulted in a 99% inactivation of the TMV and the prevention of lesions on the leaves of challenged tobacco seedlings.
Sprays for horticulture & agriculture
In both agriculture and fruit and vegetable growing, yield is related to the quality of pest control or the prevention and effectiveness of treatments.
Anolyte is used against the formation of viruses, fungi, germs and bacteria in field and fruit cultures as well as in viticulture.
A special technology allows the production of a risk-free biocide product (fungicidal, germicidal, bactericidal) in the form of Anolyte.
A good disinfection increases the yield considerably. Anolyte is an excellent natural biocide product to reduce the germ count.
With Anolyte the dependence on chemical preparations is reduced or avoided.
Anolyte is supplied as a concentrate and is diluted and sprayed at a ratio of 1:100.
The application takes place in 3 steps:
ABOUT ECA
ECA stands for electrochemical activation and is a technology that has been employed for more than 100 years, although it was not until the 1970s that the physicochemical properties of ECA were extensively researched at the All-Russian Institute for Medical Engineering.
The transformation of low mineral salt solutions into an activated metastable state, by electrochemical unipolar action, generates two separate and distinct compounds, generically termed anolyte and catholyte which correspond to their derivative electrode chambers:
The use of electrolysis for the production of reductant-oxidant solutions is used in the processes of water purification and decontamination, as well as for transforming water or diluted electrolyte solutions into environmentally friendly anti-microbial, washing, extractive and other functionally useful solutions.
This is largely due to ECA high activity, use of cheap raw materials and ease of production.
The system produces a liquid disinfectant, non-toxic and degradable, capable of destroying bacteria, spores, viruses, moulds, yeasts, fungi, biofilms (biological incrustations) on pipes and removing odours. Its operation requires only water, Sodium or Potassium Chloride (salt) and electricity.
HOW ECA WORKS
ECA works the same way as the human immune system. When the body is under attack from invading bacteria and viruses, the immune system immediately responds by sending neutrophils (white blood cells) to the invasion site.
Neutrophils are one of the body’s main defences against bacteria and, once activated, produce large amounts of a mixed oxidant solution which is effective in eliminating invading microbes and pathogens.
This weak acid, which occurs naturally in the human body, is called hypochlorous acid (HClO) and it is a potent disinfectant. It is non-toxic to humans and is highly effective as an antimicrobial agent with rapid action. Hypochlorous acid is widely recognized as one of the most effective known biocides.
In detail, the system consists of an electrolysis cell containing two electrodes, a cathode and an anode, separated by a diaphragmatic membrane. In the cell is injected an aqueous solution consisting of filtered and softened water and, depending on the application, sodium chloride (NaCl, salt) or potassium chloride (KCl). With the use of electricity with predefined and controlled amperage and voltage values, the cell produces an electrically-activated liquid, Anolyte, with high disinfection power that can be used in a variety of applications.
This unipolar electrochemical activation created by potential gradients of millions of volts per cm2 between the anode and cathode terminals, results in the creation of solutions whose pH, Oxidation Reduction Potentials (ORP) and other physicochemical properties, lie outside of the range which can be achieved by conventional chemical means.
CHARACTERISTIC AND ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRO-ACTIVATED SOLUTIONS
Electro-activated solutions produced by the system are respectively:
| Solution | Active Element | pH | ORP/REDOX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acid Anolyte | Active Cl 500 / 700 ppm | 2.5 / 5.0 | 1200 / 1000 mV |
| Neutral Anolyte | Active Cl 500 / 700 ppm | 6.0 / 8.0 | 950 / 850 mV |
| Catolyte | Sodium hydroxide 1000 ppm | 10.0 / 12.0 | -800 / -900 mV |
As presented in several scientific publications, multicellular organisms, including humans and hot blood mammals, to defend themselves against pathogens and foreign microorganisms are able to synthesize, through metabolism, complex mixtures of metastable oxidizing compounds.
These compounds possess a wide spectrum of action and are capable of damaging all major systemic groups of pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, mycobacteria, viruses, moulds, spores, etc.) without damaging multicellular organisms and human tissues.
The oxidizing liquids and their chemical production mechanisms are similar to those generated in our ECA system and are precisely these common characteristics that give Anolyte a high biocompatibility with human tissues and multicellular organisms besides not being toxic to the environment.
Anolyte has the following advantages:
Anolyte and Catholyte also have the following characteristics:
