Efficacy of Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water for Inactivation of Cronobacter sakazakii and Biofilm Cells

The disinfection efficacy and mechanism of activity of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) were investigated against Cronobacter sakazakii. Treatment with three concentrations of SAEW decreased C. sakazakii by 23 to 55% after 2 min. Propidium iodide uptake and scanning electron micrographs indicated that SAEW treatment damaged cell integrity and changed membrane permeability resulting in leakage of nucleic acids (109.7%), intercellular proteins (692.3%), and potassium ions (53.6%). The ability to form biofilms was also reduced. SAEW treatment reduced the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase from 100.73 and 114.18 U/mg protein to 50.03 and 50.13 U/mg protein, respectively. Expression of C. sakazakii response regulator genes (katG, rpoS, phoP, glpK, dacC, and CSK29544_RS05515) was reduced, which blocked repair of osmotic stress-induced damage and inhibited biofilm formation. These findings provide insight into the effects of SAEW on bacterial genotype and phenotype.