Electrolyzed water: Effect on seed decontamination and seed quality

Abstract

Electrolyzed water (EW) is a new technology that emerged recently with potential application in agriculture, medicine and food industries, mainly in microbiological aspects. This unconventional or ‘green’ technology has the purpose to decrease the use of natural resources like water with minimal generation of chemical/toxic residues. EW possesses strong bactericidal and virucidal and moderate fungicidal properties. EW treatment may be used as an effective method for reducing microbial contamination on seed. Acidic Electrolyzed Water (AEW) shows wide ranging fungicidal activity, which may facilitate its use as a contact fungicide on aerial plant surfaces. More studies are necessary in relation to this technology and its possible applications in seed technology. The use of EW is an emerging technology and the door is open to further research and development.