Neutral electrolyzed water (NEW)

Neutral electrolyzed water (NEW) is a solution produced through the electrolysis of a dilute sodium chloride solution, resulting in a mixture of oxidizing species, primarily hypochlorous acid (HOCl), at a near-neutral pH typically between 6.5 and 8.5 [1, 11]. Unlike acidic electrolyzed water, NEW is less corrosive and more stable, making it suitable for medical, dental, and food industry applications [3, 16]. Its primary biological function is broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, effectively inactivating bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores by disrupting cell membranes and oxidizing essential cellular components like proteins and nucleic acids [6, 13]. In clinical settings, NEW is utilized for wound irrigation, particularly in chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, where it helps reduce bioburden and promote healing [9, 16]. It is also investigated for use in oral hygiene and as a nasopharyngeal rinse to prevent viral infections like COVID-19 [1, 14]. While generally considered safe and non-toxic to human tissues, its efficacy can be significantly reduced by the presence of organic matter, and its stability is limited by factors such as light and temperature [2, 12].

Other names

Neutral superoxidized solutionNeutral electrolyzed oxidizing waterNEOSuperoxidized waterElectrochemically activated waterECANeutral pH superoxidized solution

Oxidation of cellular components such as sulfhydryl groups and amino acids, disruption of cell membrane integrity, and degradation of viral capsids and nucleic acids.