RF Safe

Assessing cell viability and genotoxicity in Trigonella foenum-graecum L. exposed to 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz electromagnetic field radiations.

Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB · 2025 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5818

Roots and shoots exposed to 2100 MHz or 2300 MHz EMF-r (0.5–8 h/day; power density 10.0 dBm) showed reduced root and shoot lengths after 4 h and 8 h exposures. Chromosomal aberrations increased versus controls (reported ranges: 2.88%–14.86% for 2100 MHz; 2.84…

Study snapshot

PublicationPlant physiology and biochemistry : PPB · 2025
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The escalating utilization of wireless electronic devices, notably cellular phones, has led to a substantial augmentation in the levels of electromagnetic field radiation (EMF-r) within the environment. Consequently, an imperative arises to investigate the impact of these radiations on biological systems, specifically on plants. In this study, we examined the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz EMF-r on the Trigonella foenum-graecum L. test system, evaluating parameters such as percentage germination, growth characteristics, biochemical activities, cell viability and chromosomal aberrations. The roots and shoots of T. foenum-graecum L. were exposed to 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz EMF-r for varied exposure durations (0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 8 h/day) (at a power density of 10.0 dBm). Substantial reductions in root and shoot lengths were observed after a exposure period of 4 h and 8 h at a frequency of 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz. Genotoxic studies revealed both physiological and clastogenic effects of EMF-r, as evidenced by an increase in chromosomal aberrations (CAs). Biochemical analyses demonstrated elevated malondialdehyde levels and activities of various antioxidative enzymes following 2 h and 4 h per day exposure to 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz EMF-r. Chromosomal aberrations increased by 2.88%-14.86% and 2.84%-18.49% (0.5 h-8 h per day) exposure to 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz, respectively when compared to that of the control group. Exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF-r) at both 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz resulted in reduced cell viability. This study examines the impact of electromagnetic fields (EMF-r) at 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz on plant root meristems. The results reveal more pronounced genotoxic effects at 2100 MHz, highlighting the frequency-dependent nature of EMF-r impacts. By providing insights into these frequency-specific effects, this research addresses a critical gap in understanding how EMF-r influences plant cellular health and offers guidance for mitigating potential environmental risks from mobile communication technologies.

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 typeanimal
Effect directionharm
PopulationTrigonella foenum-graecum L. (plant; root meristems/roots and shoots)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 8 h/day
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Roots and shoots exposed to 2100 MHz or 2300 MHz EMF-r (0.5–8 h/day; power density 10.0 dBm) showed reduced root and shoot lengths after 4 h and 8 h exposures. Chromosomal aberrations increased versus controls (reported ranges: 2.88%–14.86% for 2100 MHz; 2.84%–18.49% for 2300 MHz), biochemical markers of oxidative stress/antioxidant response were elevated after 2 h and 4 h/day exposures, and cell viability was reduced; genotoxic effects were described as more pronounced at 2100 MHz.

Outcomes measured

  • Percentage germination
  • Root length
  • Shoot length
  • Growth characteristics
  • Biochemical activities (malondialdehyde; antioxidative enzymes)
  • Cell viability
  • Chromosomal aberrations (genotoxicity/clastogenic effects)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 8 h/day"
  },
  "population": "Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (plant; root meristems/roots and shoots)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Percentage germination",
    "Root length",
    "Shoot length",
    "Growth characteristics",
    "Biochemical activities (malondialdehyde; antioxidative enzymes)",
    "Cell viability",
    "Chromosomal aberrations (genotoxicity/clastogenic effects)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Roots and shoots exposed to 2100 MHz or 2300 MHz EMF-r (0.5–8 h/day; power density 10.0 dBm) showed reduced root and shoot lengths after 4 h and 8 h exposures. Chromosomal aberrations increased versus controls (reported ranges: 2.88%–14.86% for 2100 MHz; 2.84%–18.49% for 2300 MHz), biochemical markers of oxidative stress/antioxidant response were elevated after 2 h and 4 h/day exposures, and cell viability was reduced; genotoxic effects were described as more pronounced at 2100 MHz.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic field radiation",
    "EMF-r",
    "2100 MHz",
    "2300 MHz",
    "Trigonella foenum-graecum",
    "plant",
    "genotoxicity",
    "cytotoxicity",
    "chromosomal aberrations",
    "cell viability",
    "malondialdehyde",
    "antioxidative enzymes",
    "root meristems"
  ],
  "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: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.109311
PubMed: 39612822

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