| abstract |
Provided herein is a hydrogel formulation packaged in a container, comprising hypochlorous acid and a stabilizing amount of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) incorporated in the form of a bicarbonate or carbonate of an alkali or alkaline earth metal, wherein the hydrogel formulation has an available free chlorine (AFC) content of from about 100 to about 1,000 parts per million, a pH of from about 4.0 to 7.0, a ratio of DIC to AFC of from 5:1 to 1:5, and a silicate-based carrier of from about 0.5% to about 5%, and wherein the container is minimally permeable to CO 2 or 02. Also provided herein is a method for disinfecting or treating a mammalian tissue, the method comprising applying the hydrogel formulation to a mammalian tissue in need of disinfection or treatment. Also provided is a stabilized hypohalous acid solution (or formulation thereof), which may be conveniently packaged for sale, or stored for later use on demand. The invention further provides methods of making the stabilized hypohalous acid solution, as well as methods of use for disinfecting mammalian tissue, including wounds and burns, disinfecting or cleansing surfaces, or treating and/or preserving food products and cut flowers, among other uses. |