Introducing multifactorial electroculturomics: Alternating Current Electric Pulses, combined with mild thermal treatment, exhibit antimicrobial or stimulatory effects on bacterial pathogens and enteroviruses, implying prospects for targeted microbiomics applications

Abstract

AIMSTo surrogate chemical and high-energy microbicidals, Electroceuticals may be used as a stand-alone or combined treatment under the guise of Electroculturomics. METHODS AND RESULTSUsing high and low settings of Intensity and Frequency of a medical-rated instrument (TENS) of alternating current the viability and propagation of seven pathogenic bacteria and one enterovirus of environmental and medical importance were tested in vitro, in order to establish the interaction of electroceuticals and mild pasteurization protocols and identify potential synergies and/or antagonism of these treatments. The combined regimen showed synergy, following the prerogatives of the Bioelectric Effect, and antagonism. High frequency (800Hz) rather than low (2 Hz) seems detrimental, while intensity (10 or 1 mA) seems almost inconsequential, while longer sessions enhance detrimental effects but short exposure may be beneficial. CONCLUSIONSNo single treatment seems optimal for all tested bacteria. High frequency can be effective against low titers of Enterovirus, but at higher titers, the effect may be reversed. Case-specific effects on microbial growth patterns seem to be the norm. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDYDiverse mechanisms of microbicidal or stimulatory activity are implied, allowing individualized uses and targeted applications in food and environmental safety, therapeutics and industrial bioprocessing.