Effect of Radio-Frequency Radiation (RFR) and Diazoluminomelanin (DALM) on the Growth Potential of Bacilli

Abstract

DALM, which is thought to generate increased levels of free radicals in response to RFR, was synthesized in situ by Bacillus anthracis. Bacilli grown under DALM-producing conditions showed significantly lower plate counts in response to circularly polarized 2450 MHz RFR (100W/Kg) with exposures as short as 30 min. Bacilli grown on media for 3 days prior to irradiation demonstrated lower colony counts than 1 day old cultures under DALM-producing and nonproducing conditions. No significant RFR effects were observed for endospore preparations of bacilli grown in the absence of DALM substrates. Thus, DALM appears to function as a microwave-sensitive antibiotic which may operate through a free radical-mediated mechanism. Additionally, DALM-laden bacteria have demonstrated temperature-dependent 'slow fluorescence,' supporting the hypothesis that DALM toxicity is mediated by free radicals and suggesting that DALM may be of utility in the area of molecular electronics. Radiofrequency Radiation Effects, Bacterial Viability, Slow Fluorescence, Molecular Electronics

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA269376

Entities

People

  • John G Bruno
  • Jonathan L. Kiel

Organizations

  • Armstrong Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Biomedical
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bacteria
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Environmental Health
  • Fluorescence
  • Free Radicals
  • Frequency
  • Health
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Microwaves
  • Molecular Electronics
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Effects
  • Radio Frequency
  • Statistical Analysis

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Chemistry (specifically Chemical Fluorescence)
  • Microbial Pathology
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics