Assessing the biochemical and genotoxic effects of low intensity 2.45GHz microwave exposure on <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> plants

The electromagnetic waves of 2.45 GHz microwave frequency have become abundant in environments worldwide. This study assessed the short-term impact of low-intensity 2.45 GHz exposure on young Arabidopsis thaliana plants. The plants underwent a 48-hour exposure to continuous wave 2.45 GHz microwaves at a power density of 1.0 ± 0.1 W m−2. Experiments were conducted inside anechoic chambers. After the microwave exposure samples were subjected to morphological, genotoxicity, pigmentation, and physiochemical analysis. Microwave exposure elevated the levels of photosynthetic pigments, oxidative stress, guaiacol peroxidase activity, and ascorbic peroxidase activity in plants. Conversely, catalase activity decreased. Photosystem efficiency remained unchanged, while non-photochemical quenching increased. Leaf morphological parameters exhibited no significant alterations during this brief exposure period. Notably, despite shifts in physiological parameters and pigmentations, genomic template stability remained unaffected. The findings suggest that the non-thermal effects of microwave exposure influence the photosystem and plant physiology. Research confirmed the existence of non-thermal effects of microwave exposure; however, these effects are within tolerable limits for Arabidopsis thaliana plants. Microwaves are a category of radio waves with wavelengths ranging from approximately 30 centimeters to one millimeter. The most utilized microwave frequency these days is 2.45GHz, which is used in everyday devices such as microwaves and WiFi signals. This investigation explored the impact of low-intensity 2.45GHz microwaves on young thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants for 48hours. In other words, research is comparable to scientific assessing how plants respond to the proximity of a 2G WiFi signal. The exposure resulted in increased pigment production in plants and displayed indications of stress, influencing specific plant activities. However, these alterations did not compromise the stability of the genetic materials of the plants. This suggests that although low-intensity microwaves can affect plant systems, the effects appear to be manageable during brief exposures.2.45 GHz微波频段的电磁波已广泛分布于全球各类环境中。本研究评估了低强度2.45 GHz微波暴露对年轻拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）植株的短期影响。受试植株接受了时长48小时的连续波2.45 GHz微波暴露，暴露功率密度为1.0±0.1 W·m⁻²。实验均在微波暗室（anechoic chambers）内开展。微波暴露结束后，对样本进行了形态学、遗传毒性、色素组分及生理生化分析。结果显示，微波暴露可提升植株内光合色素含量、氧化应激水平、愈创木酚过氧化物酶活性以及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性；与之相反，过氧化氢酶活性有所下降。光系统效率未发生显著变化，但非光化学淬灭水平有所升高。在此次短期暴露期间，叶片形态学参数未出现明显改变。值得注意的是，尽管植株生理参数与色素组分发生了变化，但其基因组模板稳定性未受影响。研究结果表明，微波暴露的非热效应可对光系统及植株生理产生影响。本研究证实了微波暴露存在非热效应，但该类效应在拟南芥植株的可耐受范围内。 微波是一类波长范围约为30厘米至1毫米的无线电波。目前应用最为广泛的微波频段为2.45 GHz，常见于微波炉与WiFi信号等日常设备中。本研究探究了低强度2.45 GHz微波对年轻拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana，俗称鼠耳芥）植株的48小时暴露影响。换言之，本研究可类比为科学评估植株在2G WiFi信号近距离辐射下的响应情况。该暴露过程可提升植株的色素合成量，并表现出应激迹象，同时对植株的特定生理活动产生影响。但此类变化并未破坏植株的遗传物质稳定性。这表明，尽管低强度微波可对植物系统产生影响，但在短期暴露条件下，此类效应处于可调控范围内。