Enhancement of Fungal Enzyme Production by Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields

J Fungi (Basel) · 2022 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5722

Study snapshot

PublicationJ Fungi (Basel) · 2022

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Enzyme production by microorganisms on an industrial scale has demonstrated technical bottlenecks, such as low efficiency in enzyme expression and extracellular secretion. In this study, as a potential tool for overcoming these technical limits, radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure was examined for its possibility to enhance production of an enzyme, α-amylase, in a filamentous fungus, The RF-EMF perfectly resonated at 2 GHz with directivity radiation pattern and peak gain of 0.5 dB (0.01 Watt). Total protein concentration and activity of α-amylase measured in media were about 1.5-3-fold higher in the RF-EMF exposed (10 min) sample than control (no RF-EMF) during incubation (the highest increase after 16 h). The level of α-amylase mRNA in cells was approximately 2-8-fold increased 16 and 24 h after RF-EMF exposure for 10 min. An increase in vesicle accumulation within fungal hyphae and the transcription of some genes involved in protein cellular trafficking was observed in RF-EMF-exposed samples. Membrane potential was not changed, but the intracellular Ca level was elevated after RF-EMF exposure. Our results suggest that RF-EMF can increase the extracellular level of fungal total proteins and α-amylase activity and the intracellular level of Ca.

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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 directionbenefit

PopulationFilamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 2000 MHz · 10 min exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 95% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In Aspergillus oryzae, 10-minute exposure to a 2 GHz RF-EMF was associated with about 1.5–3-fold higher total protein concentration and α-amylase activity in media versus unexposed controls, with the highest increase after 16 hours. α-amylase mRNA increased approximately 2–8-fold at 16 and 24 hours, vesicle accumulation and some trafficking-related gene transcription increased, membrane potential did not change, and intracellular Ca2+ levels were elevated after exposure.

Outcomes measured

Total extracellular protein concentration
α-amylase activity in media
α-amylase mRNA expression
Vesicle accumulation within fungal hyphae
Transcription of genes involved in protein cellular trafficking
Membrane potential
Intracellular Ca2+ level

Limitations

In vitro fungal model rather than human or animal study
Sample size not stated in the abstract
Single exposure condition described (2 GHz, 10 min)
Findings are focused on enzyme production and related cellular markers in one fungal species

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": 2000,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "10 min exposure"
  },
  "population": "Filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Total extracellular protein concentration",
    "α-amylase activity in media",
    "α-amylase mRNA expression",
    "Vesicle accumulation within fungal hyphae",
    "Transcription of genes involved in protein cellular trafficking",
    "Membrane potential",
    "Intracellular Ca2+ level"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In Aspergillus oryzae, 10-minute exposure to a 2 GHz RF-EMF was associated with about 1.5–3-fold higher total protein concentration and α-amylase activity in media versus unexposed controls, with the highest increase after 16 hours. α-amylase mRNA increased approximately 2–8-fold at 16 and 24 hours, vesicle accumulation and some trafficking-related gene transcription increased, membrane potential did not change, and intracellular Ca2+ levels were elevated after exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro fungal model rather than human or animal study",
    "Sample size not stated in the abstract",
    "Single exposure condition described (2 GHz, 10 min)",
    "Findings are focused on enzyme production and related cellular markers in one fungal species"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.95,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "radio-frequency electromagnetic field",
    "2 GHz",
    "Aspergillus oryzae",
    "fungus",
    "α-amylase",
    "enzyme production",
    "protein secretion",
    "intracellular calcium",
    "in vitro"
  ],
  "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: 10.3390/jof8111187
PubMed: 36354954

Read the original paper →