Effects of low-intensity microwave radiation on Tribolium castaneum physiological and biochemical characteristics and survival.

Journal of insect physiology · 2010 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6509

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of insect physiology · 2010

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a widespread pest that lives in, and feeds on, wheat flour. Here, we studied the effects of low-intensity microwave radiation (LIMR; <or=2.0kW/kg) on physiological and biochemical characteristics of T. castaneum, and compared them to the effects of heat conduction treatment, to provide a theoretical basis for using LIMR for pest control. Lethal model equations with respect to temperature were shown to provide acceptable fitting accuracy for the effects of LIMR treatment. Semi-lethal and lethal temperatures induced through LIMR (48 degrees C and 50 degrees C, respectively) for T. castaneum were lower than those induced through heat conduction (50 degrees C and 52 degrees C). When T. castaneum were subjected to LIMR, the insects' moisture content, pH values, alkaline phosphatase and acetyl cholinesterase activity were all lower than when the insects were subjected to heat conduction. Peroxide values and total free amino acid content were higher, and protein subunits molecular weights were lower when T. castaneum were exposed to LIMR than to heat; moreover, after LIMR exposure, the amino acid composition of T. castaneum was changed and the insect's DNA was damaged.

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

PopulationRed flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 2000 W/kg

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Low-intensity microwave radiation (LIMR; ≤2.0 kW/kg) produced semi-lethal and lethal temperatures (48°C and 50°C) that were lower than those induced by heat conduction (50°C and 52°C). Compared with heat conduction, LIMR exposure was associated with lower moisture content, pH, alkaline phosphatase and acetyl cholinesterase activity, higher peroxide values and total free amino acids, lower protein subunit molecular weights, altered amino acid composition, and reported DNA damage.

Outcomes measured

Survival/lethality (semi-lethal and lethal temperatures)
Moisture content
pH
Alkaline phosphatase activity
Acetyl cholinesterase activity
Peroxide values
Total free amino acid content
Protein subunit molecular weights
Amino acid composition
DNA damage

Limitations

Frequency not reported in the abstract
Exposure duration not reported in the abstract
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Outcomes are described largely in comparison to heat conduction; non-thermal vs thermal contributions are not clearly separable from the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": 2000,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Survival/lethality (semi-lethal and lethal temperatures)",
    "Moisture content",
    "pH",
    "Alkaline phosphatase activity",
    "Acetyl cholinesterase activity",
    "Peroxide values",
    "Total free amino acid content",
    "Protein subunit molecular weights",
    "Amino acid composition",
    "DNA damage"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Low-intensity microwave radiation (LIMR; ≤2.0 kW/kg) produced semi-lethal and lethal temperatures (48°C and 50°C) that were lower than those induced by heat conduction (50°C and 52°C). Compared with heat conduction, LIMR exposure was associated with lower moisture content, pH, alkaline phosphatase and acetyl cholinesterase activity, higher peroxide values and total free amino acids, lower protein subunit molecular weights, altered amino acid composition, and reported DNA damage.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency not reported in the abstract",
    "Exposure duration not reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Outcomes are described largely in comparison to heat conduction; non-thermal vs thermal contributions are not clearly separable from the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave radiation",
    "low-intensity microwave radiation",
    "LIMR",
    "Tribolium castaneum",
    "insect physiology",
    "biochemical characteristics",
    "heat conduction",
    "DNA damage",
    "pest control"
  ],
  "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.jinsphys.2010.04.019
PubMed: 20438733

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