Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of low-frequency magnetic fields on the viability of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectrochemistry 2007; 70 (1): 115-121

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of low frequency magnetic field exposure on the growth of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae should be studied.

Background/further details

Yeast growth was investigated in dependency on exposure time (12 or 24 minutes) and applied magnetic flux density (5.2, 7.9, and 10 mT). Additionally, to evaluate growth dynamics yeasts were exposed to 50 Hz, 10 mT magnetic field for 60 minutes and after irradiation analyzed for further 30 minutes.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 6 min, 12 min, 24 min
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 12 min
Exposure 3: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 60 min
Exposure 4: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 6 min, 12 min, 24 min or 24 min

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 6 min, 12 min, 24 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup cylindrical coil with inner diameter = 205 mm, outer diameter = 235 mm, lenght = 210 mm and 880 turns of 2 mm wire; samples placed in the center of the coil
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 mT - measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 12 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 5.2 mT minimum measured - -
magnetic flux density 7.9 mT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 10 mT maximum measured - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 60 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 mT - measured - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 6 min, 12 min, 24 min or 24 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 10 mT - measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The exposure to magnetic field decreased the number of yeasts in all exposure groups, and slowed down their growth. The effect of growth decrease was stronger with higher magnetic flux density. Concerning growth dynamics, a significant decrease of the number of yeasts was observed about 20 minutes after the beginning of irradiation. The ratio between the control group and exposure group was later almost constant, suggesting that the magnetic field killed a part of yeasts and the rest of them continued developing without any disturbances.

Study character:

Study funded by

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