Alkaline ionized water is produced by using an alkaline ionized water conditioner to electrolyze potable water containing calcium ions (adding an electrolysis aid such as calcium lactate as necessary) using direct current, and then producing water from the cathode side. Refers to weakly alkaline electrolyzed water with a pH of 9 to 10 that is generated (on the other hand, weakly acidic electrolyzed water with a pH of 4 to 6 that is generated from the anode side is called acidic ionized water).
Please note that the electrolytic aids to be added are limited to calcium compounds approved as food additives.
Alkaline ion water conditioners generally have an electrolytic cell with a built-in anode (plus pole) and cathode (minus pole).
When water is passed through the electrolytic cell and a DC voltage is applied to the water, a DC current flows, and cations (M + ) such as calcium ions, magnesium ions, potassium ions, and sodium ions are attracted to the cathode, and chloride ions and carbonate ions Anions (X – ) such as , sulfate ions, and nitrate ions are attracted to the anode.
If the voltage applied between the two electrodes is sufficiently large, the water in contact with the electrode surface will be electrolyzed and the reaction shown below will occur.
In other words, the reduction reaction progresses at the cathode, generating hydroxide ions and hydrogen, and increasing the number of cations, producing alkaline alkaline ionized water. On the other hand, at the anode, hydrogen ions and oxygen are generated, and anions increase, producing acidic acidic water.
The properties of alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water are shown in the table below.
|
pH |
redox potential |
cation |
anion |
produced substance |
|
|
Alkaline ionized water |
9～10 |
Decrease (reduction potential) |
increase |
decrease |
hydrogen, calcium hydroxide |
|
Acidic ionic water |
4～6 |
Increase (oxidation potential) |
decrease |
increase |
oxygen, chlorine |
The drinking range of alkaline ionized water is defined as pH 9 to 10, and electrolyzed water with a strongly alkaline pH exceeding pH 10 cannot be used for direct drinking.
The name alkaline ionized water is a common name, and the general name used is “potable alkaline electrolyzed water” (from Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Notification No. 112).
Although names such as “alkaline water”, “ionized water”, “electrolyzed reduced water”, and “electrolyzed hydrogen water” are sometimes used, functional water production equipment for drinking purposes has a medical device certification (approval) number. If the model is marked with “, it has been certified (approved) as a medical device after its identity has been evaluated, and the same electrolyzed water will be produced.
Currently, there is no electrolyzed water other than alkaline ionized water that is approved for drinking (however, even if it is medical device certified (approved), if it is not used correctly according to the instruction manual regarding pH value, raw water, etc. (Please note that it is not possible to produce alkaline ionized water.)