Microbicidal effect of weak acid hypochlorous solution on various microorganisms.

We investigated the microbicidal effect of weak acid hypochlorous solutions of pH 5.0 - 6.0, produced by mixing NaClO and HCl in water, against various bacteria, fungi, and virus in vitro. The weak acid hypochlorous solution had excellent microbicidal effect against a broad microbicidal spectrum of standard strains and clinical isolates in a short time. The microbicidal effects of hypochlorous solutions did not depend on the available chlorine concentration but on the HClO concentration. These results show that the weak acid hypochlorous solution has practical applicability in such places as hospitals and establishments related to the food industry.