Inhibition of growth rate of Escherichia coli induced by extremely low-frequency weak magnetic fields.

Cultures of Escherichia coli kept at 0 degree C in a phosphate buffer solution were exposed to a sinusoidal weak 60- or 600-Hz magnetic field of strength 2 X 10(-3) Tesla. A decrease of more than 40% in bacterial count was observed after a 60-h exposure to the magnetic field. Electron micrographs of exposed bacteria show ruptured cell walls, possibly due to the breaking away of flagella under the influence of the sinusoidally varying electromotive force.