Antimicrobial effect of hypochlorous acid on pathogenic microorganisms

Abstract

Disinfection is essential in terms of the public health or environmental hygiene. Hypochlorous acid (HOCL) solution was developed as a disinfectant in Korea. We evaluated the germicidal activity of HOCL against various pathogenic microbes. Thirty-one ATCC strains were exposed to HOCL solution at various concentrations (20, 40 and 80 ppm) for 1 minute. All the strains of bacteria, yeasts and mycobacteria were killed at 80 ppm after exposure to HOCL. The results suggest that HOCL solution could be used to effectively disinfect public areas.