Electro-activated aqueous solutions: Theory and application in the food industry and biotechnology

The present review highlights the state-of-the-art electro-activation as a science and the applications of electro-activated aqueous solutions in biotechnology and the food industry. The science behind electro-activation remains unknown. Hence, this review focuses on understanding the mechanisms governing the process of obtaining electro-activated aqueous solutions. Several applications in biotechnology and the food industry are discussed. Among the potential applications of this technology, reagentless chemical catalysis and food safety seem to be the most promising.Industrial relevance: Electro-activated solution can be successfully used in the food industry and biotechnology for:
• Selective protein and fiber extraction from different meal residues.
• Self-generation of acidic and alkaline conditions for different catalytic applications.
• Electro-activated solutions can be used as sanitizing agents for work area cleaning in food processing industries.
• Electro-activated solutions can be used for prevention of bio-films formation in food processing equipments.

► Electro-activated (EAS) solutions are formed at the near-electrode interface.
► Electro-activated solutions are active because of the energetic metastable state.
► EAS are able to self-generate conditions for chemical and biochemical reactions.
► EAS are powerful tools for inactivating pathogenic bacteria and toxins.
► EAS are powerful for sanitizing food processing plants and for biofilms removing.