Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Cell phone electromagnetic field radiations affect rhizogenesis through impairment of biochemical processes med./bio.

By: Singh HP, Sharma VP, Batish DR, Kohli RK

Published in: Environ Monit Assess 2012; 184 (4): 1813-1821

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of 900 MHz cell phone exposure on root formation in mung bean hypocotyls (stem of a germinating seedling, found below the seed leaves and above the root), a model system for rhizogenesis in plants.

Background/further details

16 glass vials (each containing five hypocotyls) were used for each exposure condition (including control). Each experiment (exposure condition) was repeated for three times. After the exposure, the hypocotyls were transferred into a growth chamber for seven days. For each enzymatic/biochemical analysis, there were five replicated tissue samples.

Endpoint

effects on plants: root growth (rhizogenesis) and oxidative stress

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 0.5, 1, 2 h	electric field strength: 5.7 V/m spatial average (in the chamber) power density: 8.549 µW/cm² spatial average

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 0.5, 1, 2 h
Additional info	cell phones in talk and listen mode

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Additional info	additional frequency: 8.34 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	6 cm
Chamber	with 2 mm thick aluminum sheets shielded 47.5 cm x 27 cm x 17.5 cm chamber
Setup	two cell phones placed along the chamber's walls; 12 glass vials containing the hypocotyls positioned between them (according to the figure in the article); constant temperature of 25 +/- 1°C inside the chamber
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
electric field strength	5.7 V/m	spatial average	-	-	in the chamber
power density	8.549 µW/cm²	spatial average	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

plant
mung bean (Vigna radiata)/Wilczek, hypocotyls

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

molecular biosynthesis: molecular biosynthesis: oxidative stress during rooting, formation of reactive oxygen species (content of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and proline); enzyme activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, catalase and glutathione reductase); phenolic content; enzyme activities of protease, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase; absorption measurements
effects on plants: root growth (number of hypocotyls rooted, roots per hypocotyl, root length), germination and oxidative stress (see "molecular biosynthesis")

Investigated system:

hypocotyl homogenates and supernatants

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The number of roots per hypocotyl and the average root length decreased significantly in response to cell phone exposure. The inhibitory effect increased with the period of exposure time. Additionally, the length of emerged roots was lesser in exposed hypocotyls.
The cell phone exposure enhanced the enzyme activities of proteases, polyphenol oxidases, and peroxidases in mung bean hypocotyls in comparison with the control. Furthermore, the electromagnetic field exposure enhanced the malondialdehyde level, the hydrogen peroxide, and proline content, indicating a reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative damage in the hypocotyls. This was confirmed by the upregulation in the enzyme activities of all antioxidant enzymes suggesting their possible role in providing protection against mobile phone exposure-induced oxidative damage.
The authors concluded that cell phone exposure affect (inhibit) the process of rhizogenesis through biochemical alterations that manifest as oxidative damage resulting in root impairment.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Kumar A et al. (2016): EMF radiations (1800 MHz)-inhibited early seedling growth of maize (Zea mays) involves alterations in starch and sucrose metabolism
Halgamuge MN et al. (2015): Reduced growth of soybean seedlings after exposure to weak microwave radiation from GSM 900 mobile phone and base station
Soran ML et al. (2014): Influence of microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation on terpene emission and content in aromatic plants
Monselise EB et al. (2011): Bioassay for assessing cell stress in the vicinity of radio-frequency irradiating antennas
Sharma VP et al. (2010): Cell phone radiations affect early growth of Vigna radiata (mung bean) through biochemical alterations
Jinapang P et al. (2010): Growth characteristics of mung beans and water convolvuluses exposed to 425-MHz electromagnetic fields
Tkalec M et al. (2009): Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L
Sharma VP et al. (2009): Mobile phone radiation inhibits Vigna radiata (mung bean) root growth by inducing oxidative stress
Vian A et al. (2007): Plants Respond to GSM-Like Radiations