Effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on bacterial membrane.

International journal of radiation biology · 2016 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4733

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of radiation biology · 2016

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

PURPOSE: The effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on bacteria has attracted attention due to its potential for beneficial uses. This research aimed to determine the effect of ELF-EMF on bacterial membrane namely the membrane potential, surface potential, hydrophobicity, respiratory activity and growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli were subjected to ELF-EMF, 50 Hz, 1 mT for 2 h. Membrane potential was determined by fluorescence spectroscopy with or without EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) with DisC3(5) (3,3-dipropylthiacarbocyanine iodide), zeta potential measurements were performed by electrophoretic mobility, hydrophobicity of the membrane was measured with MATH (Microbial Adhesion to Hydrocarbons) test, respiratory activity was determined with CTC (5-Cyano-2,3-ditolyl tetrazolium chloride), colony forming unit (CFU) and DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, dihydrochloride) was used for growth determinations. RESULTS: ELF-EMF caused changes in physicochemical properties of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Hyperpolarization was seen in S. aureus and EDTA-treated E. coli. Surface potential showed a positive shift in S. aureus contrariwise to the negative shift seen in EDTA-untreated E. coli. Respiratory activity increased in both bacteria. A slight decrease in growth was observed. CONCLUSION: These results show that ELF-EMF affects the crucial physicochemical processes in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria which need further research.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 2 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to 50 Hz, 1 mT ELF-EMF for 2 h was associated with changes in physicochemical properties in both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Hyperpolarization was reported in S. aureus and in EDTA-treated E. coli; surface potential shifted positively in S. aureus and negatively in EDTA-untreated E. coli. Respiratory activity increased in both bacteria, and a slight decrease in growth was observed.

Outcomes measured

Bacterial membrane potential
Bacterial surface (zeta) potential
Bacterial membrane hydrophobicity
Bacterial respiratory activity
Bacterial growth (CFU, DAPI)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
In vitro bacterial model; generalizability to in vivo/clinical settings not addressed
Exposure conditions limited to a single frequency (50 Hz), field strength (1 mT), and duration (2 h)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Bacterial membrane potential",
    "Bacterial surface (zeta) potential",
    "Bacterial membrane hydrophobicity",
    "Bacterial respiratory activity",
    "Bacterial growth (CFU, DAPI)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 50 Hz, 1 mT ELF-EMF for 2 h was associated with changes in physicochemical properties in both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Hyperpolarization was reported in S. aureus and in EDTA-treated E. coli; surface potential shifted positively in S. aureus and negatively in EDTA-untreated E. coli. Respiratory activity increased in both bacteria, and a slight decrease in growth was observed.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "In vitro bacterial model; generalizability to in vivo/clinical settings not addressed",
    "Exposure conditions limited to a single frequency (50 Hz), field strength (1 mT), and duration (2 h)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "1 mT",
    "Staphylococcus aureus",
    "Escherichia coli",
    "membrane potential",
    "zeta potential",
    "hydrophobicity",
    "respiratory activity",
    "growth",
    "EDTA"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2015.1101500
PubMed: 26514970

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