More than 100 Bacteria Species Can Thrive in Microwave Ovens

Swabs from microwave ovens across various settings revealed that over 100 bacterial species can flourish even in this seemingly hostile environment, according to research published in Frontiers in Microbiology on August 7. This groundbreaking study marks the first documentation of microbial communities living in microwave ovens.

Microbiologist Manuel Porcar and his team at the University of Valencia in Spain conducted swabbing efforts on the internal components of 30 actively used microwave ovens. This included 10 microwaves each from kitchens, labs, and communal spaces such as cafeterias. The transferred samples showed substantial bacterial growth in lab dishes.

DNA analysis of these colonies found them predominantly composed of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, which are commonly present on human skin and frequently touched surfaces. Notably, kitchen microwave samples also harbored bacteria like Klebsiella and Brevundimonas, known to cause food-borne illnesses. The researchers are unsure how these bacteria withstand the high temperatures and electromagnetic radiation inside microwaves, suggesting more studies are needed.

Porcar emphasized that the microbial makeup in domestic microwave ovens mirrors typical kitchen surfaces. "While some bacteria are pathogenic, regular cleaning of microwave interiors should suffice," he stated. He assured that microwaves should not be a particular concern relative to other kitchen surfaces, as cleanliness is key to mitigating risks.

Maintaining a hygienic microwave is as essential as cleaning any other surface in contact with food, ensuring safety from the pathogenic bacteria identified in the study.

Earlier, SSP told that plants can defend themselves against heavy metals.