Exposure effects of non-ionizing radiation of radio waves on antimicrobial potential of medicinal plants

Abstract

Exposure effects of non-ionizing radiation of radio waves on antimicrobial potential of medicinal plants Chandni Upadhyaya, Trushit Upadhyaya, Ishita Patel. Exposure effects of non-ionizing radiation of radio waves on antimicrobial potential of medicinal plants. Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences. 15(1):1-10. 2022. doi:10.1016/j.jrras.2022.01.009. Abstract The high frequency electromagnetic (EM) waves have been proven as potent environmental polluters. The radio towers are considerably increasing to cater to the growing telecommunication requirements. The presented research focuses on the investigation of EM waves on antimicrobial potential of pharmaceutically important medicinal plants viz. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). The similar work has not been reported till date at the best of our knowledge. The medicinal plants were exposed to EM waves of 900 MHz possessing a 1.9 mG magnetic field. Our former investigation on plant physiology gave deteriorative effects on selected plants physiology in terms of growth, chlorophyll content, protein and carbohydrate content. In the presented article, the antimicrobial activity of two plants was inspected through various bacterial and fungal species. In case of B. monnieri, investigations revealed raise in Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) for both the bacterial and fungal strains in the range of 50%, whereas for O. sanctum increase of 63.26% and 59.42% ZOI for bacterial and fungal strains were noted respectively upon 24 h of exposure. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) also decreased for 24 and 48 h of exposure. The transient raise in antimicrobial activity indicated the induction of plant defense system which can be considered as positive influence of short term radiation on medicinal properties of plants. Both plants exhibited the highest antimicrobial potential for E. coli and P. chrysogenum showing a prominent decline after 72 h of exposure. A substantial decline in antimicrobial in MIC of B. monnieri reported was 211% against E. coli and 166% against P. chrysogenum upon 144 h of exposure compared to control plants. The antimicrobial potential of O. sanctum was also decreased upon radiation, which is having a 392% reduction against E. coli and a 225% reduction against P. chrysogenum upon 144 h of exposure. The noteworthy deteriorative effects of radio waves on antimicrobial potential have been observed for both the medicinal plants. sciencedirect.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Plants were exposed to 900 MHz EM waves (reported 1.9 mG magnetic field). Antimicrobial activity increased after short exposure (e.g., at 24 h ZOI increased ~50% for B. monnieri; for O. sanctum ZOI increased 63.26% for bacterial strains and 59.42% for fungal strains; MIC decreased at 24–48 h), but antimicrobial potential declined with longer exposure (noted decline after 72 h; large reductions reported at 144 h against E. coli and P. chrysogenum for both plants).

Outcomes measured

• Antimicrobial activity (zone of inhibition, ZOI) against bacterial and fungal strains
• Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)
• Plant defense response (as interpreted by authors)

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Exposure characterization limited (no SAR; only frequency and magnetic field reported)
• Specific bacterial/fungal panel and methods not fully described in abstract
• Study is on plants; generalizability to human health is not addressed

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "radio tower",
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "24–144 h"
    },
    "population": "Medicinal plants: Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Antimicrobial activity (zone of inhibition, ZOI) against bacterial and fungal strains",
        "Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)",
        "Plant defense response (as interpreted by authors)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Plants were exposed to 900 MHz EM waves (reported 1.9 mG magnetic field). Antimicrobial activity increased after short exposure (e.g., at 24 h ZOI increased ~50% for B. monnieri; for O. sanctum ZOI increased 63.26% for bacterial strains and 59.42% for fungal strains; MIC decreased at 24–48 h), but antimicrobial potential declined with longer exposure (noted decline after 72 h; large reductions reported at 144 h against E. coli and P. chrysogenum for both plants).",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure characterization limited (no SAR; only frequency and magnetic field reported)",
        "Specific bacterial/fungal panel and methods not fully described in abstract",
        "Study is on plants; generalizability to human health is not addressed"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "non-ionizing radiation",
        "radio waves",
        "900 MHz",
        "medicinal plants",
        "Ocimum sanctum",
        "Bacopa monnieri",
        "antimicrobial activity",
        "zone of inhibition",
        "minimum inhibitory concentration"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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