EFFECT OF ELF MAGNETIC-FIELDS ON ENOLASE ACTIVITY

We previously reported frequency-dependent effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) at microwave and at radio frequencies when amplitude w as modulated with 16 or 60 Hz extra-low frequencies (ELF). This study was conducted primarily to test effects of magnetic fields induced by ELF ranging from 10 to 72 Hz generating a calculated magnetic flux den sity of 138.48 nT/rms. Escherichia coli cells, strain JM108 containing a plasmid having a neuron-specific gene, was used. Results show the m ost significant alteration of enzyme activities at 55 Hz and marginall y significant effects at 15 and 60 Hz in exposed cells compared to con trol cells. Several other ELF frequencies tested did not show any diff erence between control and exposed cells. It is concluded that effects of magnetic fields at ELF are not linearly dependent and are effectiv e only at specific frequencies, which are separated by wide ranges of noneffective ELF frequencies.