Efficiency of electrolyzed water (EW) on inhibition of Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae growth in vitro

The efficiency of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW with pH 5.0–6.5) and strong acidic electrolyzed water (StAEW with pH less than 3.0) on the inactivation of Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae growth in vitro was studied. The treatment conditions included inundating time (30, 60, 120 and 300 s), treatment interval (24, 48 and 72 h) and available chlorine concentration (ACC, 30, 60 and 90 mg/L) with either StAEW (pH 2.35) or SAEW (pH 6.06). The results showed that inundating time had no effect on the efficiency of SAEW for inactivation of pure P. parasitica var. nicotianae cultures (P > 0.05). The inhibition rate increased with increasing ACC and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) at the same pH and inundating time (P < 0.01) with electrolyzed water (EW). Although the pH of SAEW (pH 6.06) was much higher than that of StAEW (pH2.35), the inhibition rate of SAEW was similar to that of StAEW (P > 0.05) at ACCs of 60 and 90 mg/L. Moreover, the experiments confirmed that the optimal treatment interval was 48 h (P < 0.01). An inhibition rate of higher than 50% of P. parasitica var. nicotianae growth in vitro was achieved with SAEW (pH 6.06, ORP 922 mV and ACC of 90 mg/L) when inundating time was 30 s and treatment interval was 48 h. The findings of this study indicate that EW may be a promising disinfectant, which can achieve inactivation of P. parasitica var. nicotianae with added benefits of reduced health hazards and environmental pollution.

► Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae cultures could be inhibited with electrolyzed water.
► The inhibition rate ranged from 27.2% to 53.3% with different EW and methods.
► Different inundating times did not have a significant effect on the inhibition rate.
► The optimal treatment interval should be less than 48 h for inactivation, in vitro.