Aqueous chlorous acid solution for use as disinfectant

Abstract

A process for producing aqueous chlorous acid solution in which chlorous acid, which is safe for the human body, is easy to handle, and less generates chlorine dioxide, is yielded and used as a disinfectant for a pretreatment in food processing. To an aqueous sodium chlorate solution is added sulfuric acid or an aqueous solution thereof in such an amount and concentration that the pH of the aqueous solution can be kept at 2.3-3.4 to thereby react them and generate chloric acid. Subsequently, hydrogen peroxide is added to the chloric acid in an amount which is equal to or larger than the amount necessary for a reduction reaction to thereby yield chlorous acid. Any one of inorganic acids, inorganic acid salts, organic acids, and organic acid salts, or two or more thereof, or a combination or these is added to the aqueous solution containing chlorous acid yielded, whereby the chlorous and acid can be present for long and the pH of the aqueous solution is regulated to regulated to 3.2-7.0. Thus, high bactericidal power is imparted thereto.

1 . An aqueous solution comprising chlorous acid and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of inorganic and organic acids and salts or a combination thereof 
     
     
         2 . The aqueous solution of  claim 1 , comprising chlorous acid and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of organic acids and salts or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The aqueous solution of  claim 1 , comprising chlorous acid and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids and salts or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The aqueous solution of  claim 1 , wherein said organic acids include succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, acetic acid, or lactic acid. 
     
     
         5 . The aqueous solution of  claim 1 , wherein said organic salts include sodium succinate, potassium succinate, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, sodium malate, potassium malate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, sodium lactate, potassium lactate, or calcium lactate. 
     
     
         6 . The aqueous solution of  claim 1 , wherein said inorganic acids include carbonic acid, phosphoric acid, boric acid, or sulfuric acid. 
     
     
         7 . The aqueous solution of  claim 1 , wherein said inorganic salts include carbonates, hydroxides, phosphates, or borates. 
     
     
         8 . The aqueous solution of  claim 7 , wherein said carbonates include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or potassium bicarbonate. 
     
     
         9 . The aqueous solution of  claim 7 , wherein said hydroxides include sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. 
     
     
         10 . The aqueous solution of  claim 7 , wherein said phosphates include disodium hydrogenphosphate, sodium dihydrogenphosphate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, dipotassium hydrogenphosphate, or potassium dihydrogenphosphate. 
     
     
         11 . The aqueous solution of  claim 7 , wherein said borates include sodium borate or potassium borate. 
     
     
         12 . The aqueous solution of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of said aqueous solution is in the range of 3.2 to 7.0. 
     
     
         13 . The aqueous solution of  claim 1  for use as disinfectant.