Summary: Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) have biocide, biostatic or toxic effects on microorganisms, plants and animals, depending on their chemical formula and concentration. VFAs are found in soil, water or air, where they can be produced and used. Acetic, formic and propionic acids can be used to preserve food, to fumigate fruit and vegetable, and even reduce or eliminate coliform bacteria from goat ́s milk or colostrum of cows. In soil, VFAs could eliminate fungus and bacteria that attack plant roots. Residues of plants or decomposed wastes can generate VFAs, which can be used to produce ethanol or methane. In this study each VFA is discussed in terms of its chemistry, manner of action, uses and potential applications. | Resumen: Los ácidos grasos volátiles (AGVs) tienen propiedades biocidas, biostáticas o tóxicas para microorganismos, plantas y animales, lo que depende de su forma química y su concentración. Los AGVs se encuentran en suelo, agua y aire, donde podrían producirse y utilizarse. Los ácidos acético, fórmico y propiónico se usan para conservar alimentos preparados, fumigar frutos y verduras, disminuir o eliminar bacterias coliformes de leche de cabra o calostro de vacas. En el suelo, los AGVs pueden eliminar hongos y bacterias que atacan raíces de plantas. Los residuos de plantas o basura al descomponerse pueden generar AGVs, los cuales se pueden usar para producir alcohol o metano. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo discutir la química, la forma en la que actúan, usos actuales y aplicaciones potenciales de los AGVs.

Due to security considerations in their management and environmental impact is expected in the coming years the use of chlorine as a disinfectant decreases in favor of more profitable alternatives. Among these alternatives, the electrolyzed water solutions now represent the greatest advance in regard to disinfection, appearing as an efficient, ecologically and economically. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of electrolyzed water as a substitute for traditional disinfectant circuit milking and tank milk in a dairy farm. For this purpose water samples were collected in sterile containers at the end of the washing process with two products which were sent to a laboratory accredited by ENAC (147/LE377) for microbiological analysis. No significant differences were observed in samples treated with chlorine and electrolyzed water in the case of the circuit milking disinfection. However, in the milk tanks disinfection electrolyzed water is better than chlorine because it eliminates aerobic microorganisms. Moreover, from an environmental point of view, the use of electrolyzed water is an advantage over chlorine due to its non polluting capacity.