Benefits of introducing the WPAIA Prost System

Introducing the WPAIA Prost System provides users with the following 5 benefits and
effects.
1. Comprehensive hygienic management becomes possible
(The system can adapt to the HACCP method.)
From the entrance to the exit of a factory, by supplying ASFA water to all the places
where hygienic management is necessary, such as places for cleaning hands, or
disinfecting foods, equipment, containers, or the manufacturing line, open spaces,
packages, effective hygienic management can be carried out.

2. Economic efficiency and effectiveness is improved

The introduction of a WPAIA prost system does not require any large-scale reconstruction
or expensive refurbishment work. Further, by efficiently employing a WPAIA prost system,
you can reduce your work procedure to concentrate on your substantive operation,
resulting in increasing economic efficiency.

3. Workers are given a sense of safety and security

With ASFA water, workers will no longer get skin irritation and will voluntarily (for
their own benefit) cooperate with hygienic management. In food processing plants, there
are many part-time workers, and even with a set of perfect instructions, things often do
not work according to the manual.

4. It contributes to improving the surrounding environment

By introducing the WPAIA Prost System, you can emphasize to neighbors that you are
taking sanitation management seriously. It also has the merit of preventing unpleasant
odors, helping to improve the surrounding environment.

5. Initial costs and running costs are low

Initial costs are about half what would be required to install a similar scale device
using another method. Running costs are also lower, since all you need is sodium
hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid and tap water, which are extremely low-priced. Since it
is not a generation method using electrolysis, the electricity fee is also economical,
and there is no need for the replacement of expensive parts due to the expiry of an
electrolytic cell.

Instead of using several different detergents and disinfectants for each purpose, you
can use ASFA water as an all-purpose drug. By doing so, you can cut costs and with the
HACC method, there is also the important advantage of preventing any mix-up of chemical
substances.
P a g e 1 | 17
 II. What is ASFA water?

“ASFA water” is a hypochlorous acid (HClO) solution generated by the

disinfecting and deodorizing water-manufacturing device (WPAIA Prost 1200 II),
by neutralizing sodium hypochlorite (NaClO，a food additive) with hydrochloric
acid (HCl，also a food additive) and diluting them in tap water.

Sodium hypochlorite Hydrochloric acid

(NaClO) ＋ (HCl)

Dilution

+ +
Hypochlorous acid Sodium ion Chloride ion
(HClO) Na＋ Cl－

ASFA Water

Hypochlorous acid (HClO) is generated by combining hypochlorite ion (ClO－) contained in

NaClO and hydrogen ion (H＋) contained in HCl. In alkaline water solution, however,
their connection is not solid and ClO－ occurs almost exclusively． With the increase of
H＋ concentration (lowering pH), the connection becomes solid and HClO increases．

pH

Acid Neutral Alkaline

Hydrochloric acid Sodium hypochlorite

(HCl) (NaClO)
Neutralization
↓ ↓
H＋＋Cl－ Na＋＋ClO－

HClO H＋＋ClO－
Hypochlorous acid Hypochlorite ion

ASFA Water

P a g e 2 | 17
The HClO：ClO－ ratio varies depending on the pH of the solution. At pH 10, ClO－ exists
almost exclusively. At around pH 7, about 80% of free chlorine becomes HClO and at
pH4.5，almost all become HClO. ASFA water is made between pH6 (weak acid) and 7.5 (weak
－
alkaline. At pH 7.5, the HClO：ClO ratio is approximately 50:50, while at pH6, almost
all free chlorine become HClO.

Percentage of free chlorine

0 20 40 60 80 100
1
Chlorine gas(Cl2)

2
Acidic electrolyzed
Acidic electrolyzed water
あ
water
3

‐
Hypochlorous acid (HClO )
4

pH 5

7
ASFA

8 ‐
Hypochlorite ion (ClO )

Sodium hypochlorite solution

10

‐
HClO has a powerful disinfection effect and ClO is effective in proteins and lipids.
Since ASFA water is produced in the 6-7.5pH range，it has both disinfection and
detergent effects.

pH State of Free Chlorine Disinfection Effect Detergent Effect

Highly acidic Chlorine gas, highly toxic to humans!

Intermediately acidic Hypochlorous acid High Low
ASFA water Hypochlorous acid and High High
Hypochlorite ion
Alkaline Hypochlorite ion Low High

P a g e 3 | 17
 III. Seven (7) features of ASFA water

1) ASFA water has powerful disinfection abilities.

2) ASFA water has a broad disinfection spectrum.
3) ASFA water displays a strong deodorizing effect.
4) ASFA water has a powerful detergent effect.
5) ASFA water can be used for keeping vegetables flesh.
6) High safety
7) High stability

1. Disinfection abilities of ASFA water

1.1. Powerful disinfection effect

Since ASFA water contains abundant hypochlorous acid (HClO）that has a powerful
disinfection effect, it can be used as a disinfectant. The disinfection effect of
HClO that is an active ingredient of ASFA water is due to its strong oxidation and
chlorination abilities. When HClO comes into contact with organic substances, it
attacks atoms connected to hydrogen and brings about the oxidation and chlorination
reactions.

Oxidation R-H＋HClO→R-OH+HCl
Chlorination R-H+HClO→R-Cl+H2O
●R is an atom (or a group of atoms) that displays lower chemical affinity to hydrogen than HClO

does.

In particular, it is known that HClO easily reacts with organic matter (substances
forming living creatures). HClO attacks organic compounds such as carbohydrates,
proteins and lipids. Thus, oxidized or chlorinated organic compounds lose their
original characteristics, structures and functions.

When ASFA water comes into contact with a microorganism, HClO attacks organic
compounds that form the body (cell) of the microbe, and inhibits the life activity,
resulting in the death of the microbe.

P a g e 4 | 17
Substances that form microbes:
Carbohydrates - glycoproteins, glycolipids and major components of cell walls.
Lipids - stored nutrition, major components of cell membranes, vitamins and hormones.
Proteins - forming the body of a creature. Also important as enzymes (catalysts of
metabolic reaction)

Proteins
H H O
｜ ｜ ｜｜ Carbohydrates
H - - N –C – C - - OH Cn（H2O）m
｜
R n

HClO Lipids

The disinfection mechanism of HClO differs from that of an antibiotic substance.

HClO destroys microbes in various ways, for instance, denaturing lipids and
proteins, changing cell membrane permeability, inhibiting enzyme activity, consuming
the energy stored inside a cell etc.

Compared with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) solution that is an existing disinfectant,

ASFA water is shown to have a superior effect against bacteria (Gram-positive
bacteria、Gram negative bacteria and bacterial spores), yeasts and fungi under the
same free chlorine concentration. Especially, the superiority is highlighted for
stubborn microbes that are hard to kill (e.g. bacillus subtilis and cladosporium
cladosporioides).

1.2. Instant Disinfection

ASFA water contains abundant hypochlorous acid (HClO). Thus, ASFA water shows a
faster disinfection effect than hypochlorite (ClO－) does and destroys microbes in a
much shorter time.

P a g e 5 | 17
ClO－ occurs almost exclusively in an alkaline solution, while HClO exists in a
neutral or weak acid solution. HClO can permeate through the cell membrane that
covers the outer surface of a microbe, but ion cannot. For this, HClO can exert its
－
disinfection effect inside the cell, whereas ClO only attacks from the outside of
it. Consequently，HClO can kill microbes faster than ClO－.

Cell membrane: electrically uncharged

Permeable
(acts inside the cell)
Denaturation HClO
Electrically uncharged
R-H
Protein, lipids
H H O ClO－
Negatively charged
H-N-C-C--OH
|
R Not permeable
Consumption (acts from outside
of the cell)

Microbial cell

In fact，the investigation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) revealed that，under the same free chlorine concentration，HClO destroyed 99%
of Escherichia coli 80 times faster than ClO－. For example，when the chlorine
-
concentration was 0.1 mg/1，HClO destroyed E. coli in 1.5 minutes, whereas ClO
required 120 minutes for it.

Concentration of free chlorine

(mg/l)

Time required for 99% Escherichia coli disinfection

P a g e 6 | 17
Comparative disinfection effects of ASFA water and sodium hypochlorite solution
Microbe Disinfectant Initial 10s 30s 60s 5min 10min

Spore of bacillus subrilis ASFA water 50ppm 2.8×10⁷ 1.8×10⁷ 1.6×10⁷ 1.9×10⁷ 8.9×10⁵ 1.9×10³

Sodium hypochlorite 50ppm 2.8×10⁷ 3.1×10⁷ 1.6×10⁷ 1.5×10⁷ 2.0×10⁷ 2.4×10⁷

Sodium hypochlorite 80ppm 2.8×10⁷ 1.6×10⁷ 1.9×10⁷ 2.1×10⁷ 1.4×10⁷ 6.7×10⁶

Bacillus subrilis ASFA water 50ppm 3.2×10⁷ 2.1×10⁶ 2.1×10⁶ 1.7×10⁶ 5.5×10⁵ 1.1×10³

Sodium hypochlorite 50ppm 3.2×10⁷ 2.4×10⁶ 2.O×10⁶ 2.6×10⁶ 1.8×10⁶ 2.1×10⁶

Sodium hypochlorite 80ppm 3.2×10⁷ 2.6×10⁶ 2.2×10⁶ 2.2×10⁶ 1.5×10⁶ 5.5×10⁵

Escherichia coli ASFA water 50ppm 1.0×10⁸ ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Sodium hypochlorite 50ppm 1.0×10⁸ ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Sodium hypochlorite 80ppm 1.0×10⁸ ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Pseudomonas aeruginosa ASFA water 50ppm 1.5×10⁸ ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Sodium hypochlorite 50ppm 1.5×10⁸ ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Sodium hypochlorite 80ppm 1.5×10⁸ ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Staphylococcus aureus ASFA water 50ppm 5.8×10⁷ ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Sodium hypochlorite 50ppm 5.8×10⁷ ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Sodium hypochlorite 80ppm 5.8×10⁷ ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Saccharomyces cerevisiae ASFA water 50ppm 2.4×10⁶ 1.8×10² ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Sodium hypochlorite 50ppm 2.4×10⁶ 3.2×10⁶ ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Sodium hypochlorite 80ppm 2.4×10⁶ 1.5×10⁵ ＜10 ＜10 ＜10 ＜10

Cladosporiumcladosporioides ASFA water 50ppm 2.6×10⁵ 4.7×10⁵ 8.4×10³ 1.1×10² ＜10 ＜10

Sodium hypochlorite 50ppm 2.6×10⁵ 1.7×10⁶ 4.1×10⁵ 4.3×10⁴ ＜10 ＜10

Sodium hypochlorite 80ppm 2.6×10⁵ 1.2×10⁶ 6.5×10⁴ 3.3×10³ ＜10 ＜10

At 20℃

P a g e 7 | 17
Similarly according to a comparative study between HClO and ClO－ about their
disinfection efficiency against various microorganisms, HClO was 50 to 1000 times
superior to ClO－ in the product of chlorine concentration and reaction time required
for disinfection (in the table below，the larger the value performance as a
disinfectant).

Comparative disinfection efficiencies

Disinfectant Enteric Bacteria Virus Spores Amoebic cysts
HOCl 20 1 0.5 0.05
OCl－ 0.2 0.02 0.005 0.005
NH2Cl 0.1 0.005 0.02 0.02
1 1
Notes: Values are in terms of A = (mg/l)－ (min)－ at 5℃
A is specific susceptibility coefficient when organisms are compared.

A is specific lethality coefficient when disinfectants are compared.

Since ASFA water contains almost all free chlorine in the form of hypochlorous acid
(HClO) (90% or more at pH 6.5) ，it can kill microorganisms faster than the
conventional disinfectant, sodium hypochlorite solution.

1.3. Disinfection power increases when heated

The disinfection power of ASFA water increases when heated.

When ASFA water is heated, the oxidation and chlorination reactions occur faster as
the temperature rises up. The disinfection power increases approximately 2.5 times
for each 10℃ increase. It was found that at 60℃，heated ASFA water destroyed spore
of bacillus subtilis almost completely in one minute.

Comparative disinfection ability of ASFA water and sodium hypochlorite solution against blastopore of bacillus subtilis

Colony forming units[/ml] after duration

Disinfectant Temperature
Initial 1min 3min

ASFA water pH7.3 100ppm 37℃ 3.0×10⁶ 2.0×10³ <10

Sodium hypochlorite pH8.7 100ppm 37℃ 3.0×10⁶ 4.4×10⁶ 2.7×10⁶

ASFA water pH7.3 100ppm 60℃ 4.4×10⁶ <10 <10

P a g e 8 | 17
 1.4. ASFA water can be used as an air spray

As ASFA water is highly stable, it can be used as an air spray. For this, it can
prevent contamination by airborne and falling bacteria effectively.

Fine droplets of approximately 10 micrometers in diameter can be sprayed with our

company’s air spray nuzzles. When sprayed intermittently at regular intervals, ASFA
water forms a mist that drifts in the room. It displays a disinfection effect when it
comes into contact with airborne and falling bacteria.

Even if large quantities of the mist are sprayed into a room, the chlorine gas (Cl 2)
concentration is lower than 0.1ppm and completely safe.

Concentration of chlorine gas in a room where ASFA water is sprayed

Concentration after spraying

ASFA water 50ppm <0.01ppm
ASFA water 100ppm 0.01ppm
ASFA water 200ppm 0.07ppm
Four liters of ASFA water were sprayed for 1h in a room (3.6m×2.7m)

Acceptable limit of chlorine gas concentration

Japan: “Japan Industrial Sanitation Conference Report” Limit 1ppm
U.S.A.: “America Government Industrial Congress” Exposure limit in a short time
3ppm, average concentration per hour 1ppm under the assumption that one work 8
hours a day, i.e.，40 hours per week.

2. ASFA water has a broad disinfection spectrum

ASFA water has a broad disinfection spectrum, enabling it to kill various

microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and viruses. Furthermore, there is no
fear about the development of resistance of microbes.

Since hypochlorous acid (HClO) contained in ASFA water exerts its disinfection effect by
attacking organic compounds that form the cell of a microbe in various ways, it is
effective against a wide range of microorganisms. In fact, it is proved that HClO is an
effective disinfectant against bacteria (gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria

P a g e 9 | 17
and bacterial spores), yeasts, fungi and viruses. For the same reason，it is thought
almost impossible that microorganisms could develop resistance to ASFA water.

Disinfection spectra of several disinfectants

Benzalk-
onium

Cresol soaps, phenol

Povidone-iodine, Ethanol

Glutaraldehyde, Sodium hypochlorite

Yeasts and Mycobacterium Blastopores of

Bacteria Fungi
some bacteria tuberculosis virus bacteria

Susceptible Resistant

Genetic material Envelope Viruses that are shown to be inactivated by hypochlorous acid

RNA - Poliovirus, echovirus, Coxsackies virus

+ Influenza virrus, parafluenza virus

DNA - Adenovirus, phage, kilham rat virus，SV40

+ Hepatitis virus, herpes simplex virus

3. ASFA water displays a strong deodorizing effect

ASFA water displays a strong deodorizing effect against airborne substances that cause
foul smell.

When ASFA water is sprayed into the air with foul odor, hypochlorous acid (HClO) in the
droplets quickly reacts with substances that cause the foul odor through oxidization and
chlorination, dismantling them and thus eliminating the foul odor.

At present, there are 22 substances designated by the Foul Odor Prevention Law、such as
ammonia (NH3, stimulating smell), hydrogen sulfide (the smell of rotten eggs) and
trimethy1 amine (the smell of rotten fish). For example, if ammonia is mixed with ASFA
water, ammonia converts into mono-Chloramine (NH2Cl) that has little smell and the
stimulating smell is lost.
P a g e 10 | 17
Besides ammonia，since many of the substances producing foul odor are organic compounds
to which HClO easily reacts, ASFA water has a strong deodorizing effect. Meanwhile, ASFA
water does not spoil the taste and smell of foods.

For example, ASFA water converts ammonia into dichloramine, making it odorless.
Ammonia＋hypochlorous acid Mono－chloramine＋water
NH3＋HClO NH2Cl +H2O

Deodorizing effect of ASFA water

Odor-causing compound reduction in odor index after treatment
Ammonia 71.2%
Hydrogen sulfide 56.3%
Trimethylamine 99.8%
The detection tube was filled with one milliliter of ASFA water

Major odor-causing substances

CH₃
|
N O

CH₃ CH₃ CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-C

OH
Normal valeric acid
Trimethylamine
CH3
CH3

Ortho-xylene

P a g e 11 | 17
4. ASFA water has a powerful detergent effect

ASFA water exerts detergent effect by increasing solubility of proteins and lipids that
cause unpleasant viscosity.

When hypochlorous acid (HClO) in ASFA water reacts with organic compounds, oxidization
and chlorination occur. Through these reactions, polarity (non-uniform distribution of
electric charge) occurs within the target molecule. Water also has polarity within
molecules. Because molecules with polarity attract each other, polarity increases
hypophilicity of the molecule and, consequently, solubility (easiness to dissolve) to
water. For this reason, ASFA water makes it easy to remove viscous stuff and stains.

HClO
δ δ
―C－H － C－Cl Water also has polarity

An electrically neutral bound δ δ Water molecules

―C－OH Positive ions

Negative ions
Cl and OH attract electrons.

causing polarity (non-uniform distribution Because molecules with polarity attract each other,

of electric charge) within the molecule. polarity increases hydrophilicity of the molecule.

Unpleasant viscous stuff found in a kitchen is chiefly made up of lipids and proteins.
Lipids contain a chain of carbons in the structure and are hard to dissolve in water.
When a lipid comes in contact with HClO，polarity occurs within a resultant product and
its solubility is increased.

Reaction between a lipid (unsaturated fatty acid) and HClO

H H H H H H O
H―C－C＝C－C＝C－C＝C－C－C－C－C
H H H H H H H OH

HClO
H H
H H CL H O H O H H Cl O
H－C－C－C－C－C－C－C－C－C－C
H O H Cl H Cl H H H OH

P a g e 12 | 17
Proteins can be solubilized in the same way. The basic structure of proteins is one of
linearly connected multiple amino acids. The property of a protein depends on those of
component amino acids. HClO makes it easy to remove the protein by attacking and
solubilizing the amino acids.

NH₃⁺ NN₃⁺
| |
CH₃－CH－COO⁻ －CH₂－CH－COO⁻
Alanine Phenylalanine

Hydrophobic amino acids

HClO

NH3 ＋ NH3＋
｜ ｜
HO-CH2-CH-COO- HO- -CH2-CH-COO-
Serine Tyrosine

Hydrophilic amino acids

Since the detergent effect of ASFA water depends on concentration of hypochlorite ions
-
(ClO ) ，use ASFA water in weak alkaline condition when you use it for cleaning.

5. ASFA water keeps fruits and vegetables fresh

Ethylene，a botanical hormone, promotes growth of fruits, such as apples and bananas,
and flowers. Since ASFA water disintegrates ethylene, vegetables can be kept fresh.

The growth of plants is promoted by ethylene (CH 2＝CH2). Ripe fruits and flowers
themselves produce ethylene and stimulate the growth of other plants in their vicinity.

When vegetables are soaked in ASFA water or ASFA water is sprayed on vegetables,
hypochlorous acid (HClO) contained in ASFA water attacks ethylene and extinguishes
hormone activity in resultant substances. As a result, vegetables and fruits last long.

P a g e 13 | 17
 Ethylene

H H
C=C
H H

Reaction between HClO and Ethylene

Dichlorine
Cl Cl
H H HClO H－C－C－H
C=C －C－C－ H H
H H
Cl OH
H－C－C－H
H H
Halohydrine

6. High Safety
6.1. ASFA water is harmless to humans

While ASFA water destroys various microorganisms, it is harmless to higher creatures.

Therefore, ASFA water can be used as a disinfectant that is safe to animals and
plants.

Most microorganisms consist of a single cell and are very susceptible to drugs. In
contrast, higher animals and plants are made up with many cells and individual cells
exist in a tissue. Since tissues are rigorously protected by membranes, tissue fluids
and so on, ASFA water exerts little impact on bodies of higher animals and plants.
In addition, higher creatures possess an advanced protection system against oxidation
and chlorination caused by foreign substances, which assures a further safety.

Moreover，hypochlorous acid (HClO) the active ingredient of ASFA water, plays an

important role in the immune system of humans. Neutrophil, one of immune cells,
produced HClO that decomposes and eliminates foreign substances using its
sterilizing effect. This means that HClO naturally occurs within the human body,
P a g e 14 | 17
and that its sterilizing effect has been utilized in the evolutional process of humans.
This clearly indicates that HClO is harmless to humans.

Neutrophilic granulocytes

The safety of ASFA water is also verified through experiments using animals. It is
confirmed on the tests using rabbits and mice that there is no adverse effect even for
oral intake, no irritation of mucous membranes of eyes and skin and no genetic mutation.

Impact of ASFA water on experimental animals

Acute perioral toxicity (one-time administration) No effect

Eye irritation No irritation

Skin irritation (one-time exposure) No irritation
Skin irritation (continuous exposure) No irritation
Allergenicity No effect
Cytotoxicity Intermediately cytotoxic
Mutagenicity No effect

Disinfectants usually show some cytotoxicity.

Since ASFA water is mildly acidic and is used at a low concentration, when used for
washing hands, it does not cause skin inflammation or irritation.

6.2. ASFA water is environment friendly

The amount of chlorine gas emerged from ASFA water is little, making it safe. ASFA
water is readily consumed through reaction with organic compounds in the environment,

P a g e 15 | 17
 and there is no fear about unexpected problems.

Unlike other products generated by using electrolysis, ASFA water is stable and the
emergence of chlorine gas is limited. The amount of generated trihalomethane is also
extremely small (trihalomethane is generated mainly in alkaline conditions but is
hardly produced in acidic conditions).

Emergence of chlorine gas from ASFA water and electrolyzed water

Concentration of Chlorine gas After 1 hour After 6 hours

Acid electrolyzed water 50ppm 1.8ppm ＞4.0ppm

ASFA water 50ppm 0.007ppm 0.2ppm
ASFA water 200ppm 0.2ppm 0.9ppm
 Test samples were individually put in open plastic containers. Chlorine gas concentration was
measured 1 hour and 6 hours later.
 Acceptable concentration of chlorine gas stipulated in Japan society for occupational health
Report: 1 ppm

Since hypochlorous acid (HClO) in ASFA water readily reacts with bacteria or
organic compounds, superfluous ASFA water is consumed and inactive quickly
in the environment. Consequently, it does not damage beneficial
microorganisms like those in septic tanks.

7. High Stability

Unlike products generated using electrolysis, ASFA water is stable and the
concentration of effective chlorine drops only 10-15% 33 days after production.

Temporal changes in effective chlorine concentration of ASFA water

Days after Effective chlorine concentration [ppm]
Production ASFA water 50ppm ASFA water 100ppm ASFA water 100ppm
0 48.5 98.2 198.7
9 46.1 94.0 191.6
19 46.1 92.3 177.4
33 46.1 82.2 170.0
ASFA water was stored in polycarbonate bottles.

P a g e 16 | 17
IV. Why was disinfection water like ASFA never made until now?

When sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) is mixed with an acid, the pH of the solution drops
rapidly. When the pH becomes below 4.5, chlorine gas emerges from the solution, which is
very dangerous to humans. It was technically difficult to maintain pH range proper to
produce the strong disinfection water without emergence of chlorine gas. However，with
our newly-developed technology, WPAIA Prost 1200 II solves this difficulty and produces
effective ASFA water safe and stable.

Neutralization of sodium hypochlorite with hydrochloric acid

12 -

10 -

8-
ASFA water
6-

4–

Chlorine gas occurs.

2- Highly toxic to humans!

0 50 100
Added hydrochloric acid

Why were sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and acidic substance not combined in the past?

Because it was difficult to control the pH within the proper range

WPAIA Prost 1200 II produces ASFA water of the best pH

safety without emergence of chlorine gas.

P a g e 17 | 17