Medical/biological study (experimental study)

EMF radiations (1800 MHz)-inhibited early seedling growth of maize (Zea mays) involves alterations in starch and sucrose metabolism med./bio.

By: Kumar A, Singh HP, Batish DR, Kaur S, Kohli RK

Published in: Protoplasma 2016; 253 (4): 1043-1049

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of maize seedlings to a 1800 MHz electromagnetic field on growth and the carbohydrate metabolism should be investigated.

Background/further details

After germination, seedlings were divided into the following groups: exposure to the electromagnetic field for 1) 30 minutes, 2) 1 hour, 3) 2 hours, 4) 4 hours and 5) no exposure (control group). Each group consisted of 5 petri dishes with 10 seedlings each (n=50 seedlings in total). All seedlings were further cultivated after exposure and investigated after 7 days.

Endpoint

effects on plants: growth and carbohydrate metabolism

Exposure

- 1,800 MHz
- CW continuous wave
- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,800 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for 30 minutes	power density: 332 mW/m² mean (± 10.36 mW/m²) power: 0.1 W SAR: 1.69 W/kg
Exposure 2: 1,800 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for 1 hour	power density: 332 mW/m² mean (± 10.36 mW/m²) power: 0.1 W SAR: 1.69 W/kg
Exposure 3: 1,800 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for 2 hours	power density: 332 mW/m² mean (± 10.36 mW/m²) power: 0.1 W SAR: 1.69 W/kg
Exposure 4: 1,800 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for 4 hours	power density: 332 mW/m² mean (± 10.36 mW/m²) power: 0.1 W SAR: 1.69 W/kg

General information

SAR calculations based on Andreuccetti D, Fossi R, Petrucci C (1997) An internet resource for the calculation of the dielectric properties of body tissues in the frequency range 10 Hz-100 GHz. http://niremf.ifac.cnr.it/tissprop/, (Italy): IFAC-CNR; Based on data published by C Gabriel et al. in 1996

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 30 minutes

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	antenna
Distance between measurement device and exposed object	3 cm
Chamber	petri dishes (15 cm diameter)
Additional info	exposure system was kept in an empty separate room coated with special radiofrequency shielding paint in order to protect from external exposure sources

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	332 mW/m²	mean	measured	-	± 10.36 mW/m²
power	0.1 W	-	-	-	-
SAR	1.69 W/kg	-	calculated	-	-

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 1 hour

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Distance between measurement device and exposed object	3 cm

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	332 mW/m²	mean	measured	-	± 10.36 mW/m²
power	0.1 W	-	-	-	-
SAR	1.69 W/kg	-	calculated	-	-

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 hours

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Distance between measurement device and exposed object	3 cm

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	332 mW/m²	mean	measured	-	± 10.36 mW/m²
power	0.1 W	-	-	-	-
SAR	1.69 W/kg	-	calculated	-	-

Exposure 4

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 4 hours

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Distance between measurement device and exposed object	3 cm

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	332 mW/m²	mean	measured	-	± 10.36 mW/m²
power	0.1 W	-	-	-	-
SAR	1.69 W/kg	-	calculated	-	-

Exposed system:

plant
maize seedlings (Zea mays L)
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

molecular biosynthesis: total protein concentration (Bradford protein assay)
morphol./histopathol. changes: growth (length of roots and coleoptiles)
contents of chlorophyll, carbohydrates (reaction with anthrone) and reducing sugars, enzyme activities of α-amylase (reaction of starch with iodide), β-amylase, starch phosphorylases, acid and alkaline invertases, acid and alkaline phosphatases (spectrophotometry)

Investigated system:

roots, coleoptiles, tissue homogenates and extracts

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

After 4 hours of exposure, the length of roots and coleoptiles as well as the chlorophyll content were significantly reduced compared to the control group (group 5).
The carbohydrate and reducing sugar contents were significantly increased after 1 hour of exposure or more (groups 2, 3 and 4) compared to the control group.
The enzyme activities of α-amylase, β-amylases and invertases were significantly increased in groups 2,3 and 4 compared to the control group, whereas the enzyme activity of the starch phosphorylases was significantly decreased at the same time. No distinct trend was observed in the enzyme activities of the phosphatases.
In all parameters, a tendency towards enhanced effects with increasing exposure duration was observed.
The authors conclude that exposure of maize seedlings to a 1800 MHz electromagnetic field could interfere with growth and the carbohydrate metabolism.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Department of Science and Technology (DST), India
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), India
University Grants Commission (UGC), India

Gustavino B et al. (2016): Exposure to 915 MHz radiation induces micronuclei in Vicia faba root tips
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
Singh HP et al. (2012): Cell phone electromagnetic field radiations affect rhizogenesis through impairment of biochemical processes
Sharma VP et al. (2010): Cell phone radiations affect early growth of Vigna radiata (mung bean) through biochemical alterations
Sharma VP et al. (2009): Mobile phone radiation inhibits Vigna radiata (mung bean) root growth by inducing oxidative stress
Kouzmanova M et al. (2009): Alterations in enzyme activities in leaves after exposure of Plectranthus sp. plants to 900 MHz electromagnetic field
Tafforeau M et al. (2002): SIMS Study of the Calciumdeprivation step related to epidermal meristem production induced in flax by cold shock or radiation from a GSM telephone

EMF radiations (1800 MHz)-inhibited early seedling growth of maize (Zea mays) involves alterations in starch and sucrose metabolism med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

General information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 4

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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