Compositions of hypochlorous acid and methods of manufacture thereof
The invention generally relates to compositions of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and methods of manufacture thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides air-free compositions of HOCl. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making HOCl that involve mixing together in water in an air-free environment, a compound that generates a proton (H + ) in water and a compound that generates a hypochlorite anion (OCl − ) in water to thereby produce air-free hypochlorous acid.
1. A composition comprising an air-free aqueous solution of acetic acid and hypochlorous acid, wherein the aqueous solution is produced in a chamber from which air has been purged, causing the aqueous solution to be air-free.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is buffered.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition has a pH approximately equal to a pKa of acetic acid.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a pH from about 4.0 to about 7.5.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a pH from about 6.0 to about 7.0.
6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is stable from about 1 month to about 1 year.
7. A method for providing wound care, the method comprising providing to the wound a composition comprising acetic acid and hypochlorous acid, wherein the composition is produced in a chamber from which air has been purged, causing the composition to be air-free, and wherein the composition is substantially free of dichlorine monoxide.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the composition is air-free.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the composition is substantially free of chlorine gas.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the composition is buffered.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the composition is buffered and has a pH approximately equal to a pKa of acetic acid.
12. A method for breaking down a biofilm, the method comprising applying to the biofilm a composition comprising acetic acid and hypochlorous acid, wherein the composition is produced in a chamber from which air has been purged, causing the composition to be air-free, and wherein the composition is substantially free of dichlorine monoxide.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the composition is air-free.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the composition is substantially free of chlorine gas.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the composition is buffered.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the composition is buffered and has a pH approximately equal to a pKa of acetic acid.