Escherichia coli membrane-associated energy-dependent processes and sensitivity toward antibiotics changes as responses to low-intensity electromagnetic irradiation of 70.6 and 73 GHz frequencies.

Escherichia coli K-12(λ) was sensitive toward low-intensity (non-thermal, flux capacity 0.06 mW cm(-2)) electromagnetic irradiation (EMI) of extremely high frequency-70.6 and 73 GHz. 1 h exposure to EMI markedly depressed growth and cell viability of bacteria. Membrane-associated processes-total H(+) efflux and H(2) evaluation by whole cells during glucose fermentation were shown to be lowered as well. At the same time, the F(0)F(1)-ATPase activity of membrane vesicles was little depressed with 70.6 GHz irradiation only. This finding was in conformity with non-changed N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive H(+) efflux. Furthermore, for understanding the different frequencies action mechanisms, the effects of antibiotics (chloramphenicol, ceftriaxone, kanamycin, and tetracycline) on irradiated cells growth and survival were determined. EMI with the frequencies of 70.6 and 73 GHz as with 51.8 and 53.0 GHz enhanced the sensitivity of bacteria toward antibiotics, but comparison revealed that each frequency had a different portion. Probably, EMI of specific frequency triggered changes in biological processes and afterward in growth and viability of bacteria, creating conditions when the action of antibiotics became facilitated. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011