Cytological and molecular consequences of wheat grain exposure to microwave radiations

Mekki, L. and Badr, A. (2013) Cytological and molecular consequences of wheat grain exposure to microwave radiations. Acta Botanica Hungarica, 55 (1-2). pp. 61-79. ISSN 0236-6495

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Abstract

Radiofrequency radiations (RFR) are electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) that encompass frequencies below that of visible light and above that of extremely low frequency fields. Typical man-made sources of RFR include broadcast AM/FM/TV, mobile phones and base stations, microwave ovens and radar. In this investigation, the cytological and molecular effects of RF-EMFs at 2.45 GHz, the frequency commonly used in telecommunication and microwave ovens, have been investigated in dividing root cells of five wheat cultivars following grain exposure to very short times ranging from one second to one minute. Enhanced mitotic activity and increased proportion of chromosomal abnormalities were scored in root cells as the exposure time increased. Most abnormalities are comprised of cmetaphase configurations, unoriented chromosomes at metaphase, laggards and multipolar ana-telophases indicating an action on the mitotic apparatus as well as chromosomal bridges and the formation of micronuclei indicating true clastogenic effects by the used radiation. In addition, the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting indicated marked DNA polymorphism among wheat cultivars and also as a result of exposure to RF-EMFs at 2.45 GHz. The results indicate remarkable cytogenetic and molecular consequence of man-made sources of RFR in plants that may lead to genetic variation. However, further research on this aspect is required to get a concrete answer for its mutagenic/carcinogenic activity.

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