Effects of Electromagnetic Wave (940MHz) on Vitamin E Activities of Corn

Background: Electromagnetic radiations is from abiotic stresses, which have surrounded the environment, hence living beings are within the range of these waves. All living cells have electric charge created by free radicals. The interaction of electromagnetic waves with ions, especially ferromagnetic materials such as iron affect living cells. These environmental factors have considerable effects on living systems even in short time and low intensity. Objectives: In this study, the effects of electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 940 MHz were investigated on biochemical and physiological responses of Zea mays L. Seedling. Materials/Patients and Methods: Corn seedlings were placed in medium Perlite and Hoagland with 1/2 strength for ten days. After sufficient growth, a group of plants was treated by electromagnetic waves with high frequency (940 MHz). Following these steps, biochemical and physiological analyzes were performed on control and treated samples. Results: In treated cases by electromagnetic waves, the ratio of proline in leaves and roots, malondialdehyde in leaves, production of hydrogen peroxide in the shoot, catalase enzyme activity in leaves and roots as well as superoxide dismutase in leaves significantly increased rather than the control ones. There was no significant change in chlorophyll pigments. Carotenoid pigments found a significant increase in long-term treatment but the anthocyanin pigments had a significant reduction in treatment of electromagnetic radiation. The antioxidant potential of extract in order to inhibit free radical revealed that the extract of control had the most powerful effect and the extract of treated had the weakest effect in free radical scavenging. Phenolic compounds including gallic acid, ferulic acid, eugenol, vanillic acid and caffeic acid were measured and the results showed a significant difference among phenolic compounds in control and treated samples. The highest ratio of gallic acid and eugenol were observed in control plants, while the most amounts of vanillic acid and ferulic acid was in treated ones. Oil and fatty acids in seeds were measured by Soxhlet and Gas Chromatography. Significant changes were observed in the content of fatty acids and oils. Conclusion: Electromagnetic waves increases the amount of vitamin E in corn seed .