African Journal of
Biochemistry Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biochem. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0778
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJBR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 426

Full Length Research Paper

Changes in enzymes activities of soil samples exposed to electromagnetic radiations (EMR) from mobile phone

C. I. Iheme
  • C. I. Iheme
  • Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
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R. N. Nwaoguikpe
  • R. N. Nwaoguikpe
  • Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
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S. E. Abanobi
  • S. E. Abanobi
  • Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
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C. U. Igwe
  • C. U. Igwe
  • Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
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E. C. Udenze
  • E. C. Udenze
  • Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
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A. U. Ezirim
  • A. U. Ezirim
  • Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
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C. P. Ihedimbu
  • C. P. Ihedimbu
  • Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
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D. I. Ukairo
  • D. I. Ukairo
  • Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
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  •  Received: 10 November 2014
  •  Accepted: 29 December 2014
  •  Published: 30 January 2015

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the changes in activities of dehydrogenase, catalase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and alkaline protease of soil samples exposed to electromagnetic radiations (EMR) from mobile phone for the periods of 0, 30, 60 and 90 days. EMR-unexposed soil samples served as the source of control enzyme activities. The mean enzyme activities from the EMR-exposed soil were significantly (p<0.05) lower than those from the unexposed samples. The overall percentage changes in enzymes activities of the EMR-unexposed and exposed soil samples for dehydrogenase, catalase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and alkaline protease relative to their respective starting values were 124.42 and -65.15%, 138.01 and -13.87%, 94.09 and 19.70%, 101.01 and -41.00%, and 162.55 and -21.71% respectively. The results show that EMR from mobile phones elicited significant negative impact on soil enzymes activities.
 
Key words:  Electromagnetic radiations, mobile phones, enzymes.