The application of electromagnetic fields (EMF) to microorganism cultures has been explored as a means to enhance growth and metabolism. This study investigates the effect of EMF at frequencies of 33, 55, and 89 Hz, generated by φ–water devices, on microalgae and cyanobacteria of high biotechnological value, namely Chlorella vulgaris, Arthrospira fusiformis and Arthrospira maxima. Effects on growth, photosynthetic pigment concentrations (chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids), and biomass production were assessed. Notably, C. vulgaris exhibited increased chlorophyll a content, while A. fusiformis showed enhanced growth at 33 Hz (101.75%), and A. maxima demonstrated markedly higher growth (105.29%) and biomass production (216%) at 55 Hz. The highest chlorophyll concentration (208.8%) was observed at 33 Hz, while the highest carotenoid concentration (114.7%) was recorded at 89 Hz, both in A. maxima cultures. These findings support the hypothesis that EM fields, under specific conditions, represent a method of enhancing microorganism growth, with potential applications in the food industry, as well as in environmental biotechnology. However, as the study was conducted without biological replications, further trials are necessary to validate these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Sampris et al. (Tue,) studied this question.