Abstract: In an electrolytic water producing apparatus, an anode and a cathode in an electrolytic cell are periodically switched to reduce degradation thereof. The concentration of hypochlorous acid formed in the strong acidic liquid is measured through a concentration sensor, and a concentration variation pattern varying in a sawteeth pattern according to the switching of the anode and cathode is taken into a control device. A control pattern inversely corresponding to the sawteeth pattern is calculated by the controlling device. Electrolytic current or voltage to be supplied to the electrodes may be controlled according to the control pattern, or supply quantities of raw water or a chloride solution may be controlled by a flow rate controlling valve and a metering pump. Thus, although the polarities of the electrodes are switched, the strong acidic liquid containing hypochlorous acid with a constant concentration can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a microorganism in an environmental sample involves contacting the sample with a supercritical fluid to isolate nucleic acid from the microorganism, then detecting the presence of a particular sequence within the isolated nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may optionally be subjected to further purification.

Abstract: An electrolyte producing apparatus is formed of an electrolyzing device for producing a strong acidic liquid on an anode side and a strong alkaline liquid on a cathode side through electrolyzing a basic liquid, a mixing device connected to the electrolyzing device for mixing a part of the acidic liquid and a part of the alkaline liquid to form a mixture of the acidic and alkaline liquids, and a measuring device including a light ejecting device for ejecting light to the mixture, and a light receiving device for receiving the light passing through the mixture. A light absorbance of the mixture is measured in an area of wavelengths of about 260 nm to 330 nm. A concentration of hypochlorous acid in the produced strong acidic liquid can be accurately monitored without using a coloring reagent to thereby obtain a pH value of the strong acidic liquid.