EFFECTS OF MAGNETIC FIELDS ON GROWTH OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS ANDSTAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

摘要

Effects of both static and varying magnetic fields were investigated on two species of gram positive bacteria; Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The organisms were exposed to varying intensity of static magnetic field using Helmholtz coil which allows for the intensity to be varied on an hourly basis for a total time of four (4) hours. The organisms were also exposed to a constant intensity of static magnetic field given off by a standard ferrite magnet for a period of five (5) days. The effects were evaluated by culturing the bacteria and determining their growth rate and the maximum numbers of bacterial cells obtained after each exposure. The results obtained showed that the ferrite magnet caused strength-dependent decreases in the growth rate and growth maximum number of bacteria for B. subtilis and S. aureus respectively. The test organisms were susceptible to the effect of the field, the total viable count decreased with increase in intensity of the fields. The control experiments which were not exposed to the intensities of the magnetic field had the highest number of organisms when compared with those exposed to the field. The statistical analysis done had proved that there is a strong relationship between the organisms' growth and the magnetic field intensity.