Effects of Microwave Radiation on Bacteria Escherichia Coli B/r and Escherichia Coli B_S-1

Abstract

Thermal and electromagnetic (specific) effects in responses of bacterial strains Escherichia coli B/r and E. coli B_S-1, to high-power microwave (frequency, 7 GHz; SAR, 200 W/kg) were studied. It was demonstrated that both microwave heating and equal thermal heating of E. coli B/r and E. coli B_S-1 cells resulted in a loss of viability and damage of permeability of membranes to nucleotides. But the injurious action of microwave heat was greater than that of equal thermal heat alone. These results illustrate the existence of an electromagnetic action of a microwave field to the bacterial cell organisms distinguished from the usual heat effects.