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Extremely High Frequency Electromagnetic Irradiation in Combination with Antibiotics Enhances Antibacterial Effects on Escherichia coli

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Abstract

Antibacterial effects of the electromagnetic irradiation (EMI) of 51.8 and 53 GHz frequencies with low intensity (the flux capacity of 0.06 mW/cm2) and non-thermal action were investigated upon direct irradiation of E. coli K12. Significant decrease in bacterial growth rate and in the number of viable cells, marked change in H+ and K+ transport across membrane were shown. Subsequent addition of kanamycin or ceftriaxone (15 or 0.4 μM, respectively) enhanced the effects of irradiation. This was maximally achieved at the frequency of 53 GHz. These all might reveal membrane as probable target for antibacterial effects. Apparently, the action of EMI on bacteria might lead to changed membrane properties and to antibiotic resistance. The results should improve using extremely high frequency EMI in combination with antibiotics in biotechnology, therapeutic practice, and food industry.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. V. Kalantaryan for generous supply of generator G-141 and valuable advices as well for help in undertaking some experiments. This study was supported by Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia (Grant # 1012-2008) and by Armenian National Science and Education Fund (ANSEF) project (Grant # NS-Microbiol-1635).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biophysics, Biology Faculty of the Yerevan State University, 1 A. Manoukian Str., 0025, Yerevan, Armenia

    Heghine Torgomyan, Hasmik Tadevosyan & Armen Trchounian

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  1. Heghine Torgomyan
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  2. Hasmik Tadevosyan
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  3. Armen Trchounian
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Correspondence to Armen Trchounian.

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Torgomyan, H., Tadevosyan, H. & Trchounian, A. Extremely High Frequency Electromagnetic Irradiation in Combination with Antibiotics Enhances Antibacterial Effects on Escherichia coli . Curr Microbiol 62, 962–967 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-010-9811-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-010-9811-2

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