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Low-intensity microwave radiation and the virulence of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain B6.

Applied and environmental microbiology · 1979 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 6080

Exposure to 10,000 MHz microwave radiation at 0.58 mW/cm2 for 30–120 min was associated with a 30–60% decrease in the bacteria’s ability to produce tumors on potato and turnip disks. The exposure did not affect bacterial viability or attachment to a tumor-bin…

Study snapshot

PublicationApplied and environmental microbiology · 1979
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

When virulent cells of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain B6 were exposed to low-level microwave radiation at a frequency of 10,000 MHz and an intensity of 0.58 mW/cm2 for 30 to 120 min, a 30 to 60% decrease in their ability to produce tumors on potato and turnip disks was observed. This microwave exposure did not affect the viability of these bacteria or their ability to attach to a tumor-binding site nor did it induce thermal shock. This loss of virulence was reversible within 12 h.

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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 typeanimal
Effect directionmixed
PopulationAgrobacterium tumefaciens strain B6 (bacteria)
Sample sizeNot supplied
Exposuremicrowave · 10000 MHz · 30 to 120 min
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to 10,000 MHz microwave radiation at 0.58 mW/cm2 for 30–120 min was associated with a 30–60% decrease in the bacteria’s ability to produce tumors on potato and turnip disks. The exposure did not affect bacterial viability or attachment to a tumor-binding site and did not induce thermal shock; the loss of virulence was reversible within 12 h.

Outcomes measured

  • Virulence (ability to produce tumors on potato and turnip disks)
  • Bacterial viability
  • Ability to attach to a tumor-binding site
  • Thermal shock (induction)
  • Reversibility of virulence loss within 12 h

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Mechanistic details not provided in abstract
  • Exposure metric reported as intensity (mW/cm2) without SAR or dosimetry details beyond frequency/intensity/duration
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 10000,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "30 to 120 min"
  },
  "population": "Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain B6 (bacteria)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Virulence (ability to produce tumors on potato and turnip disks)",
    "Bacterial viability",
    "Ability to attach to a tumor-binding site",
    "Thermal shock (induction)",
    "Reversibility of virulence loss within 12 h"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 10,000 MHz microwave radiation at 0.58 mW/cm2 for 30–120 min was associated with a 30–60% decrease in the bacteria’s ability to produce tumors on potato and turnip disks. The exposure did not affect bacterial viability or attachment to a tumor-binding site and did not induce thermal shock; the loss of virulence was reversible within 12 h.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Mechanistic details not provided in abstract",
    "Exposure metric reported as intensity (mW/cm2) without SAR or dosimetry details beyond frequency/intensity/duration"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave radiation",
    "10,000 MHz",
    "low-level exposure",
    "Agrobacterium tumefaciens",
    "virulence",
    "tumor formation",
    "non-thermal effects",
    "reversibility"
  ],
  "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: 10.1128/aem.37.1.127-130.1979
PubMed: 760631

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