The Inhibitory Effects of Static Magnetic Field on Escherichia coli from two Different Sources at Short Exposure Time

This study was intended to investigate the effectiveness of static magnetic field on the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) provided from two sources, the urine samples of patients with urinary tract infections and the reference strain E. coli ATCC 25922. Bacterial samples in Nutrient Broth were subjected to a range of magnetic intensities (2, 4, 6, 9, 14, 16, 18, and 20 mT) at various exposure times (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 min). The survival rate was measured in the presence and absence of the magnetic field over time. The cell counts of uropathogenic E. coli did not statistically differed from those of the standard strain if exposed to the magnetic field. The fluctuation was observed in cell viabilities at different magnetic intensities below 18 mT. Both groups presented a significant decline in survival rate as exposed to 18 and 20 mT.