title: Influence of microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation on terpene emission and content in aromatic plants.
abstract: Influence of environmental stress factors on both crop and wild plants of nutritional value is an important research topic. The past research has focused on rising temperatures, drought, soil salinity and toxicity, but the potential effects of increased environmental contamination by human-generated electromagnetic radiation on plants have little been studied. Here we studied the influence of microwave irradiation at bands corresponding to wireless router (WLAN) and mobile devices (GSM) on leaf anatomy, essential oil content and volatile emissions in Petroselinum crispum, Apium graveolens and Anethum graveolens. Microwave irradiation resulted in thinner cell walls, smaller chloroplasts and mitochondria, and enhanced emissions of volatile compounds, in particular, monoterpenes and green leaf volatiles (GLV). These effects were stronger for WLAN-frequency microwaves. Essential oil content was enhanced by GSM-frequency microwaves, but the effect of WLAN-frequency microwaves was inhibitory. There was a direct relationship between microwave-induced structural and chemical modifications of the three plant species studied. These data collectively demonstrate that human-generated microwave pollution can potentially constitute a stress to the plants.
authors: National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Donath 65-103, Cluj-Napoca 400293, Romania.
authors: Maria-Loredana
authors: ML
authors: Soran
authors: National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Donath 65-103, Cluj-Napoca 400293, Romania.
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Stan
authors: Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51014, Estonia.
authors: Ülo
authors: Ü
authors: Niinemets
authors: Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51014, Estonia; Institute of Technical and Natural Sciences Research-Development of "Aurel Vlaicu" University, Elena Dragoi 2, Arad 310330, Romania. Electronic address: lucian.copolovici@emu.ee.
authors: Lucian
authors: L
authors: Copolovici
mesh_terms: D028524:Anethum graveolens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000077102:Apium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000378:metabolism; D060733:Electromagnetic Radiation; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008872:Microwaves; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism*; D028528:Petroselinum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010788:Photosynthesis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013045:Species Specificity; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013729:Terpenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D059015:Wireless Technology
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013729:Terpenes; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
keywords: Abiotic stress; Aromatic plants; Essential oils; Microwave; Volatile organic compounds