HomeTechnologyWhy HClO
Scientific evidence
Hypochlorous acid. Pure protection.
A versatile solution for hygiene, food safety and sustainability — how it works, why it outperforms hypochlorite, and how safe it is to use.
- Water
- Salt NaCl
- Electricity
- HClO
Chlorine in water · the effect of pH
pH decides which chlorine does the work.
Chlorine in water exists in balance between three forms. Acidic water favours chlorine gas, alkaline water favours the hypochlorite ion — and in between, hypochlorous acid, the most effective disinfectant of the three, dominates.
- Cl₂chlorine gas — acidic pH
- HClOhypochlorous acid — slightly acidic to neutral
- ClO⁻hypochlorite ion — alkaline pH
Disinfecting power
80×
more bactericidal than the hypochlorite ion (OCl⁻).
Time to kill 99% of E. coli at 0.1 ppm chlorine:
Bars on a logarithmic time scale, 1–1,000 min.
- UnderstandEfficacy depends on the chemical form and the pH.
- AdjustWork in the optimal pH zone to maximise disinfecting power.
- ApplyUse the right conditions for each process.
A multiple mechanism of action
Five ways HClO inactivates bacteria — at once.
Hypochlorous acid acts on several cell targets simultaneously, inactivating bacteria quickly and effectively.
- 1
Blocks energy production
Shuts down the processes that generate the cell's energy (ATP).
- 2
Damages DNA
Damages DNA and interferes with its replication.
- 3
Oxidises proteins
Oxidises essential proteins and enzymes that contain sulphur groups.
- 4
Attacks the membrane
Breaks down the membrane's structural components, so it loses its integrity.
- 5
Stops the proton pump
Inactivates the membrane's proton (H⁺) pump and depolarises it.
No bacterial resistance. Because HClO hits several vital targets at the same time, bacteria do not develop resistance to it — a strategy so reliable that the human immune system uses it natively.
Is it safe?
High efficacy with a favourable safety profile.
Strong sterilising power combined with low toxicity — suited to water, food, facilities and anywhere safety comes first.
Hazard statements under REACH
- Chlorine dioxideH270 · H330 · H314 · H400
- OzoneH270 · H330 · H372 · H314 · H318 · H400 · H410
- Peracetic acidH242 · H330 · H310 · H301 · H314 · H400 · H410
- Povidone iodineH315 · H318 · H411
- FormaldehydeH350 · H341 · H330 · H302 · H314 · H317 · EUH071
Comparison
Mixed oxidant against other disinfection methods
Anolyte is a mixed oxidant solution. Published studies compare it with bleach, UV, ozone and other common methods of water disinfection.
Comparing methods of water disinfection
| Criterion | Mixed oxidant | Bleach produced locally | UV | Ozone | Chlorine dioxide | Chloramine | Calcium hypochlorite | Bleach | Chlorine gas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective disinfection | |||||||||
| Safety | |||||||||
| Residual chlorine | |||||||||
| Less trihalomethane production | |||||||||
| Less chlorite and bromate production | |||||||||
| Biofilm removal | |||||||||
| Algae removal | |||||||||
| Virus removal | |||||||||
| Removes parasite eggs | |||||||||
| Usable in pretreatment | |||||||||
| Removes taste and odour | |||||||||
| Easy maintenance |
Mixed oxidant vs bleach: deactivating bacteria and viruses
| Microorganism | Mixed oxidant dose (mg/L) | Bleach dose (mg/L) | Contact time, mixed oxidant (min) | Contact time, bleach (min) | Inactivation (log) | Differentiating parameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacteria | ||||||
| Vibrio cholerae | 2 | 2 | 1.8 | 4.0 | 4 | Time |
| Escherichia coli | 2 | 2 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 4 | Time |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 2 | 2 | 10 | 10 | >4.8 mixed oxidant2.2 bleach | Efficacy |
| Legionella pneumophila | 2 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 5 mixed oxidant4.7 bleach | Efficacy |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | 2 | 60 | 60 | 1.6 mixed oxidant0.8 bleach | Efficacy |
| 4 | 4 | 60 | 60 | 3.7 mixed oxidant2.3 bleach | Efficacy | |
| Listeria monocytogenes | 2 | 2 | 60 | 60 | 2 mixed oxidant0.8 bleach | Efficacy |
| 4 | 4 | 60 | 60 | 3.7 mixed oxidant1.2 bleach | Efficacy | |
| Bacterial spores | ||||||
| Bacillus stearothermophilus | 2 | 2 | 30 | 30 | >5 mixed oxidant2.5 bleach | Efficacy |
| Clostridium perfringens spores | 2 | 2 | 13 | 18 | 2 | Time |
| Bacillus globigii spores / Bacillus anthracis (Sterne) spores | 2.5 | 2.5 | 15 | 15 | 3.6 mixed oxidant2.4 bleach | Efficacy |
| Viruses | ||||||
| MS2 coliphage | 2 | 2 | 70 | 168 | 4 | Time |
| Vaccinia (smallpox surrogate) | 5 | ~70 | 20 | 10 | 4 mixed oxidant3 bleach | Time, concentration, efficacy |
| Poliovirus vaccine strain 1 | >4 | NA | 30 | NA | >5.5 mixed oxidant | — |
| Rotavirus SA-11 | >4 | NA | 30 | NA | >5.5 mixed oxidant | — |
| Protozoan oocysts | ||||||
| Giardia lamblia | >4 | NA | 30 | NA | 4 mixed oxidant | — |
| Cryptosporidium parvum | 5 | 5 | 240 | 1440 | 3 mixed oxidantnone with bleach | Time and efficacy |
| Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts | 25 | 25 | 240 | 240 | >1 mixed oxidant0.25 bleach | Efficacy, qRT-PCR and tissue culture of infectivity |
Source: published studies compiled in Wikipedia's “Mixed oxidant” article, as shown on kirkmayer.com. NA = not tested.
Laboratory tests · SICURSAN, Kirkmayer technology
Documented results to European standards.
Evaluations by IVAMI, LAB-TEST and POLCARGO under European antimicrobial standards. Results are tied to each test's samples, concentrations and conditions.
- EN 13727 · Bactericidal≥ 5 log · 60 s
S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. hirae and E. coli K12.
300 ppm base; tested at 50% and 97% v/v.
- EN 14476 · Virucidal1 min
Poliovirus ≥ 6.74 log; adenovirus ≥ 5.49 log; murine norovirus ≥ 5.57 log.
300 ppm base; at 50% and 80%; three test viruses.
- EN 1276 · Legionella> 5.28 log
Legionella pneumophila, 60 minutes' contact.
300 ppm base; tested at 16.5% v/v.
- EN 1650 · EN 13624 · Fungi and yeasts> 4 log
Candida albicans in 5 minutes; Aspergillus brasiliensis in 30 minutes.
300 ppm base; tested at 50% v/v.
- solution tested
- 300 ppm
- application
- 16 min
- contact afterwards
- 60 min
- test room
- 30 m³
S. aureus 6.65 log · Legionella pneumophila 6.16 log · Candida albicans 5.31 log · modified vaccinia virus Ankara 5.25 log.
UZDS fogger · dosing 11.5 mL/m³ · POLCARGO M/D-7/2022.
Bactericidal: ≥ 5 log against E. coli, S. aureus and Streptococcus uberis.
Yeasticidal: Candida albicans ≥ 4 log.
400 ppm base; dilutions 60–80% v/v.
Sources: IVAMI D/21/V0489 · LAB-TEST DZ/04, DZ/05, DZ/06, DZ/08 (09/21) and DZ/41–44 (11/21) · POLCARGO M/D-7/2022. Results do not by themselves constitute an authorisation of use, nor allow efficacy or safety to be extrapolated to other conditions.
More test results
Bacteria and yeasts
- Kills bacteria and yeast on surfaces — Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus hirae, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica and Candida albicans — with a 6.0 log (99.9999%) reduction in 15 minutes at 0.02% (200 ppm) active substance, a 40% solution. Standard: PN-EN 13697+A1:2019-08.
- Kills bacteria on surfaces (6.0 log, 99.9999%) — Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus hirae — and Candida albicans yeast (3.98 log, 99.99%) within 5 minutes at 0.025% (250 ppm), a 50% solution. Standard: PN-EN 13697+A1:2019-08.
- Kills Legionella pneumophila (6.0 log, 99.9999%) within 60 minutes at 0.01% (100 ppm), a 20% solution. Quantitative suspension method, PN-EN 13623:2010.
- Kills Staphylococcus aureus (6.0 log, 99.9999%) within 60 minutes at 0.02% (200 ppm), a 40% solution, by fogging. Standard: EN 17272:2019 (disinfection by fogging — distribution test).
- Kills Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus hirae (5.0 log, 99.999%) within 15 minutes at 0.02% (200 ppm), a 40% solution — and within 1 minute at 0.03% (300 ppm). Quantitative suspension method, PN-EN 13727+A2:2015-12.
Viruses
Tested against poliovirus type 1 (LSc 2ab), murine norovirus, adenovirus type 5 and vaccinia virus strain Elstree (the SARS-CoV-2 test virus), to PN-EN 14476+A2:2019-08.
- 7.0 log (99.99999%) reduction on surfaces within 15 minutes at 0.02% (200 ppm), a 40% solution.
- 6.0 log (99.9999%) reduction on surfaces within 5 minutes at 0.025% (250 ppm), a 50% solution.
- 7.0 log (99.99999%) reduction on surfaces within 1 minute at 0.03% (300 ppm), a 60% solution.
Fogging
Partial virucidal activity against coronavirus (PEDV) by fogging a disinfection cabin containing a surgical mask carrying the virus: 10 seconds of fogging plus 50 seconds in the cabin gave a 1.0–1.2 log (90–92%) reduction at 0.02% (200 ppm), a 40% solution. Tested at the State Veterinary Institute.
Under these fogging conditions the chlorine level in the cabin does not exceed 0.7 mg/m³ — harmless to people under the Polish Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy regulation of 12 June 2018.
Safety for people and the environment
- Health Quality Certificate (P-BŻ-6071-06/20/G) from the National Institute of Public Health in Poland: the product, as composed, intended and used, does not pose a threat to human health.
- Hygienic Certificate (B-BK-60210-0825/20) from the National Institute of Public Health in Poland: suitable for disinfecting drinking water for people and animals.
- A dermatological study on 25 volunteers (h-RIPT method, 60% solution with 0.03% / 300 ppm active substance) found it well tolerated by the skin, with no irritating or allergenic properties — classified as non-irritant.
A simpler, safer and more responsible way to think about hygiene.
Novel
Innovation applied to hygiene.
Efficient
Maximum efficacy with simpler processes.
Sustainable
Less water, time and resources.
Ecological
A gentler alternative for the environment.