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Evaluation of oxidative stress and genotoxicity of 900 MHz electromagnetic radiations using Trigonella foenum-graecum test system

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Abstract 

Unprecedented growth in the communication sector and expanded usage of the number of wireless devices in the past few decades have resulted in a tremendous increase in emissions of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiations (EMRs) in the environment. The widespread EMRs have induced many significant changes in biological systems leading to oxidative stress as well as DNA damage. Considering this, the present study was planned to study the effects of EMRs at 900 MHz frequency with the power density of 10.0 dBm (0.01 W) at variable exposure periods (0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, and 8 h per day for 7 days) on percentage germination, morphological characteristics, protein content, lipid peroxidation in terms of malondialdehyde content (MDA), and antioxidant defense system of Trigonella foenum-graecum test system. The genotoxicity was also evaluated using similar conditions. It was observed that EMRs significantly decreased the germination percentage at an exposure time of 4 h and 8 h. Fresh weight and dry weight of root and shoot did not show significant variations, while the root and shoot length have shown significant variations for 4 h and 8 h exposure period. Further, EMRs enhanced MDA indicating lipid peroxidation. In response to exposure of EMRs, there was a significant up-regulation in the activities of enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), and glutathione reductase (GR) in the roots and shoots of Trigonella-foenum graecum. The genotoxicity study showed the induction of chromosomal aberrations in root tip cells of the Trigonella foenum-graecum test system. The present study revealed the induction of oxidative stress and genotoxicity of EMRs exposure in the test system.

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Funding

The authors received financial support from the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan 2.0 (Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India), University Grant Commission, DRS-SAP, DST-FIST, and UPE.

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  1. Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India

    Surbhi Sharma & Jatinder Kaur Katnoria

  2. Department of Electronics Technology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India

    Shalini Bahel

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  1. Surbhi Sharma
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Sharma, S., Bahel, S. & Kaur Katnoria, J. Evaluation of oxidative stress and genotoxicity of 900 MHz electromagnetic radiations using Trigonella foenum-graecum test system. Protoplasma 260, 209–224 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-022-01768-9

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