Considering that, in recent years, the electromagnetic radiations level recorded high growth (from the Second World War until the present has increased around 1010 times near highly industrialized cities), the problem is, increasingly more often, how this occurrence influences the development and functioning of living organisms.
Because living organisms are very complex systems it is very important to know how microwaves affect both the chemical composition and the physiological characteristics of living beings.
Each species reacts differently to stress factors, including electromagnetic radiations.
We focused on indigene seasoning plants because they have a great quantity of volatile oils and parsley contain among one of the highest vitamin C quantity from vegetables.
Additionally, these plants are valuable for their antimicrobial and antioxidant qualities.
Therefore, the proposed project represents the beginning of detailed studies related to effect of microwaves, of different intensities, on living organisms, culminating with the consolidation of a young team that will carry on research activities in this area.

    The general objective of the project is the effects determination of microwave fields on volatile oils, vitamin C and secondary metabolites of some indigene plants.
Within this objective will consider the following specific objectives:

    1. Preparation of system for microwave irradiation of the plants considered for the study;
    2. Selection of extraction methods for bioactive compounds analyzed from the seasoning plants considered for the study;
    3. Monitoring changes of vitamin C amount from the irradiated plants compared to the reference plants;
    4. Monitoring of the essential oils composition changes, from the irradiated plants compared to the reference plants;
    5. Tracking BVOC variation in microwave stressed plants with different frequencies and powers;
    6. Monitoring changes occurred in BVOC from the irradiated plants compared to the reference plants;
    7. Concluding of the chemical and structural changes from irradiated plants.