Bio-impedance detector for Staphylococcus aureus exposed to magnetic fields

Rapid detection of viability and growth of pathogenic microorganisms is very important in many applications such as food and drug production, health care, and national defense. Measurements on the electrical characteristics of cells have been used successfully in the past to detect many different physiological events. The effect of electromagnetic fields on the growth of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) was studied with the bio-impedance technique. The growth situations of bacteria in the absence and presence of different intensities of static and alternative magnetic fields were examined and analyzed. The results show that the impedance of bacteria fell in the presence of DC magnetic fields. In contrast the impedance increased when the bacteria were exposed to AC magnetic fields. Based on these results the bacterial growth indicated by the change in the impedance is inhibited under DC magnetic fields and enhanced under AC fields.