Physiology
Hypochlorous acid is one of the most effective known biocides.The chemical structure is HOCl.It is produced by the human immune system to kill invasive organisms and fight infection.White blood cells in the human immune system produce hypochlorous acid through the myeloperoxidase-mediated peroxidation of chloride ions.White blood cells release this natural oxidant to fight invading pathogens.
When a wound breaks human skin, it creates a gateway for harmful pathogens to invade human cells.Neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell, travel in the blood to the site of the wound where the pathogens are invading.When an invading pathogen or infection threatens a human cell, the body's immune system responds by destroying the pathogen before it can harm the cell.The invading pathogens are engulfed by white blood cells through a process called phagocytosis.Once engulfed, the white blood cell produces an oxidant, hypochlorous acid.Hypochlorous Acid is a biocide and kills the microbial pathogen within milliseconds of contact.This antimicrobial process is called the Oxidative Burst Pathway.
