Acidic Electrolyzed Water Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 in Lab Tests
Acidic electrolyzed water potently inactivates SARS-CoV-2 depending on the amount of free available chlorine contacting with the virus
Research hubs: Respiratory System
This research was done on cells or tissue in a lab, not in people or animals.
- Evidence type
- Laboratory study (cells or tissue)
- Authors
- Yohei Takeda, Hiroshi Uchiumi, Sachiko Matsuda, Haruko Ogawa
- Journal
- Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
- Year
- 2020
- PMID
- 32828268
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Outcome
- Neutral
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 55 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Acidic electrolyzed water (EW) can kill the coronavirus effectively, but only when it has a high level of chlorine and hasn't been stored for too long.
Key Finding
Acidic electrolyzed water kills SARS-CoV-2 in direct proportion to its free available chlorine concentration and the volume of water contacting the virus, but this effectiveness is completely lost after prolonged storage.
Summary
Researchers tested whether acidic electrolyzed water—water treated with electricity to create a disinfectant—could kill the virus that causes COVID-19. They found that the water's ability to kill the virus depended on how much free available chlorine (a chemical produced during the electrolysis process) was present and how much of the treated water contacted the virus. The disinfectant lost its effectiveness when stored for long periods because the chlorine broke down over time.
Practical Takeaway
This study was conducted in laboratory cell cultures, not in humans or real-world settings, so it does not demonstrate whether acidic electrolyzed water would work as a disinfectant on surfaces or in medical practice. The findings suggest potential as a surface disinfectant during shortages of alcohol-based products, but fresh preparation would be necessary since the active ingredient degrades quickly during storage. More research in real-world conditions would be needed before clinical use.
Abstract (excerpt)
Alcohol-based disinfectant shortage is a serious concern in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Acidic electrolyzed water (EW) with a high concentration of free available chlorine (FAC) shows strong antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses…