Citric Acid → Silver 2-(carboxymethyl)-2,4-dihydroxy-4-oxobutanoate

Water was introduced into a reverse osmosis unit, passing through a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities and producing deionized water. Anhydrous 99% pure citric acid was mixed with the water to produce 200 gallons of a 20% (wt/vol) (796 g citric acid per gallon water) solution. The 200 gallons of 20% citric acid were directed into an ion chamber containing having positive and negative electrodes, each consisting of 200 troy ounces of 999 fine silver. The positive and negative electrodes were spaced at least 2.0 mm apart, allowing the citric acid solution to pass between the two electrodes. An ion generation controller (IGC) power supply including a positive and a negative conductor was attached to the positive and negative electrodes. The IGC applied a current of 5 amps at 17 volts, pulsed every 9 seconds, with a polarity change at 1 minute intervals. Throughout the process, the electrode gap was adjusted in order to maintain the 5 amp-17 volt output. The electric current flow caused an ion current to flow between the positive and negative electrodes, producing free silver ions within the diluted citric acid solution. The silver ions reacted with the citric acid in the citric acid solution to produce the silver dihydrogen citrate solution. The 20% citric acid solution was recirculated through the ion chamber at 50 gallons per minute for 144 hours until the desired silver ion concentration was obtained. The silver dihydrogen citrate solution was then allowed to sit in order to allow any solids formed during the procedure to precipitate. The resulting product was a silver dihydrogen citrate solution having a silver ion concentration of 2400 ppm. Hereafter, this solution is referred to as a stock solution. The stock solution can be used immediately per the following examples or stored for later use.