Authors :
Wesly Bvirwa; Soul Washaya; Godfrey B. Nyamushamba; Marlon Chawarika
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 9 - September
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/mt73bsn2
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26sep1373
Note : A published paper may take 4-5
working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and
ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is an emerging antimicrobial agent with broad applications in livestock production systems. This review synthesises current evidence on the use of HOCl-based formulations, particularly Ano-Care Goat Cure (ANCGC), in improving goat health, productivity, and sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa. HOCl demonstrates strong antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties that contribute to reduce parasite burden, improved gut integrity, enhanced nutrient absorption, and accelerated tissue repair. Mechanistically, HOCl reduces gut pathogen load, modulates inflammatory responses, and lowers metabolic stress, resulting in improved feed utilisation and growth performance. Comparative analysis with global literature supports its efficacy as an alternative to conventional antimicrobials, particularly in the context of increasing antimicrobial resistance. However, limitations remain regarding long-term safety, scalability, and economic feasibility in smallholder systems. This review highlights future research priorities and positions HOCl as a sustainable innovation aligned with livestock productivity and resilience goals in Africa.
Keywords :
Hypochlorous Acid; Goat Production; ANCGC; Parasite Control; Mechanistic Review; Sub-Saharan Africa.
References :
- Bajgai, J., Ara, J., Maharjan, A., Kang, H. Y., An, J., Kim, C. S., Kim, D. H., Kim, C. H., Cho, K. H., & Choi, D. H. (2020). Potential roles of electrolyzed water in livestock production and food safety. Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 62(5), 593–606.
- Bajgai, J., Kim, C. S., Rahman, M., Fadriquela, A., Thuy, T., & Lee, K. (2020). Application of disinfectants in livestock systems. (Check journal details—missing in original source)
- Barker, G., Andrews, L., & Smith, H. (2018). The application of hypochlorous acid in livestock production: Efficacy in feedstuff and water treatment. Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 60(6), 134–145.
- Block, M. S., & Rowan, B. G. (2020). Hypochlorous acid: A review. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 78(9), 1461–1466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2020.06.029
- Bukar, A., & Mabu, A. (2023). Navel infections in neonatal livestock systems: Causes and interventions.
- Bukar, B. A., & Mabu, I. M. (2023). Common Diseases of Goats. Goat Science-From Keeping to Precision Production: From Keeping to Precision Production, 125.
- Dey, A., & Paul, S. S. (2014). Gastrointestinal nematodiasis in ruminants: Nutritional consequences. Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition, 31(2), 101–109.
- Gatiti, G., Mwebaza, N., & Mwangi, A. (2021). Parasite burden in goats: Economic impact and control strategies. Small Ruminant Research, 188, 106089.
- Gold, M. H., Andriessen, A., Bhatia, A. C., Bitter, P., Chilukuri, S., Cohen, J. L., Robb, C. W., Goldman, M. P., & Rogers, G. S. (2020). Topical stabilized hypochlorous acid: The future gold standard for wound care and infection control. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(11), 2700–2707.
- Grasslands Research Institute Marondera Zimbabwe, 2024
- Gray, M., Foster, K., Cruz, A., Kane, G., Toomey, M., & Bay, C. (2016). Anti-inflammatory effects of HOCl in wound healing. Wounds International, 7(2), 20–24.
- Grimard, C., Lichtenberg, C., & Deslauriers, A. (2017). Economic impact of internal parasites in goats. Journal of Applied Animal Science, 45(3), 423–431.
- Hsieh, Y.-L., Yao, J.-C., Hsieh, S.-C., Teng, N.-C., Chu, Y.-T., Yu, W.-X., Chen, C.-H., Chang, L.-Y., Huang, C.-S., Lee, T.-H., Kareiva, A., & Yang, J.-C. (2020). The in vivo toxicity and antimicrobial properties of electrolyzed oxidizing water-based mouthwashes. Materials, 13(19), 4299. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13194299
- Huang, Y. R., Hung, Y. C., Hsu, S. Y., Huang, Y. W., & Hwang, D. F. (2008). Application of electrolyzed water in the food industry. Food Control, 19(4), 329–345.
- Islam, M. S., Hossain, M. S., & Ahmed, T. (2019). Sanitation strategies in livestock systems.
- Kumar, S., Gupta, S., & Mehmood, A. (2020). Impact of gastrointestinal nematodes on growth in goats. Small Ruminant Research, 185, 106054.
- Natarelli, L., Rizzo, A., Ciani, F., & Liuni, F. M. (2022). Hypochlorous acid and its applications in animal health: A review. Veterinary Sciences, 9(5), 221.
- Natarelli, N., Nong, Y., Maloh, J., & Sivamani, R. (2022). Hypochlorous acid: Applications in dermatology. Journal of Integrated Dermatology. (Confirm volume/issue)
- Rahman, S. M. E., Khan, I., & Oh, D.-H. (2016). Electrolyzed water as a novel sanitizer in the food industry: Current trends and future perspectives. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 15(3), 471–490.
- Sakarya, S., Gunay, N., Karakulak, M., Ozturk, B., & Ertugrul, B. (2014). Hypochlorous acid: An ideal wound care agent with powerful microbicidal, antibiofilm, and wound healing potency. Wounds, 26(12), 342–350.
- Sultana, S., Foti, A., & Dahl, J.-U. (2020). Bacterial defense systems against the neutrophilic oxidant hypochlorous acid. Infection and Immunity, 88(3).
- Sydor, K., Zhang, X., & Wang, C. (2019). Hypochlorous acid as an antimicrobial agent in agriculture. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 67(6), 1560–1572.
- Zhao, X., Li, Y., & Yang, Z. (2020). Umbilical infections in neonatal livestock: Pathogenesis and control. (Check source details)
- Liu, X., Zhang, R., Wang, M., Tang, C., Yang, F., Yang, Q., ..& Li, J. (2025). Prevalence of pathogens associated with neonatal gastrointestinal infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gut pathogens, 17(1), 16.
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is an emerging antimicrobial agent with broad applications in livestock production systems. This review synthesises current evidence on the use of HOCl-based formulations, particularly Ano-Care Goat Cure (ANCGC), in improving goat health, productivity, and sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa. HOCl demonstrates strong antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties that contribute to reduce parasite burden, improved gut integrity, enhanced nutrient absorption, and accelerated tissue repair. Mechanistically, HOCl reduces gut pathogen load, modulates inflammatory responses, and lowers metabolic stress, resulting in improved feed utilisation and growth performance. Comparative analysis with global literature supports its efficacy as an alternative to conventional antimicrobials, particularly in the context of increasing antimicrobial resistance. However, limitations remain regarding long-term safety, scalability, and economic feasibility in smallholder systems. This review highlights future research priorities and positions HOCl as a sustainable innovation aligned with livestock productivity and resilience goals in Africa.
Keywords :
Hypochlorous Acid; Goat Production; ANCGC; Parasite Control; Mechanistic Review; Sub-Saharan Africa.