Analysis of the effects of microwave energy on enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).

Interactions between microwave energy (3 GHz) and the enzyme Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) have been analyzed by monitoring the enzymatic activity during irradiation in steady-state or dynamic conditions, by irradiating the sample with variable power levels (up to 6 W into the sample) and, finally, by knowing accurately the true specific absorption rate. No permanent or temporary changes can be induced when the energy absorption does not cause a temperature variation. For higher energy values, effects are purely thermal in nature. Furthermore the thermal activation of the reaction velocity, caused by microwave irradiation, is in itself sufficient to give a good fit with the experimental time evolution of the enzymatic reaction.