Kinetics of sterilization of atomized slightly acidic electrolyzed water on tableware

The aim of this study was to elucidate the kinetics of atomization of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) for use in sterilization of secondary contaminated tableware surfaces. The sterilization efficacy of SAEW was assessed on the basis of the change in the total number of colonies with different contamination levels (10¹ CFU/mL and 10² CFU/mL), atomization time (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 s), atomizing distance (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm), and available chlorine concentration (ACC; 25.2, 30.2, 34.9, 40.5, 44.8, and 53.3 mg/L) as the main influencing factors. According to the relationship among flux, atomization area, and time, a kinetic model of SAEW atomization for the sterilization of tableware surfaces was established. The results indicated that the sterilization efficacy of SAEW gradually improved with decreased contamination levels (12.69 %-15.74 %), extended atomization time (13.68 %-46.58 %), and increased ACC (36.89 %-95.14 %). Based on the kinetics analysis, the change law of the kinetic model of SAEW atomization and sterilization of tableware surfaces with secondary pollution was found to be consistent with the change law of sterilization (r² > 0.8). The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for SAEW atomization for sterilization of secondary contaminated tableware surfaces and also contributes to the improvement of technological theory of SAEW sterilization.