Biology (Mar 2025)

Accumulation and Subcellular Distribution Patterns of Carbamazepine in Hydroponic Vegetables

  • Sihan Yao,
  • Yan Chen,
  • Nan Zheng,
  • Ting Chen,
  • Sufen Zhang,
  • Zhiyang Yu,
  • Haiyan Wang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14040343
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 4
p. 343

Abstract

Read online

Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (PPCPs), such as carbamazepine, enter the food chain through wastewater irrigation, posing risks to ecosystems and human health. However, research on the translocation and subcellular distribution of carbamazepine in vegetables is limited. Herein, we used 14C-labeled carbamazepine as a tracer to investigate its removal, accumulation, and subcellular compartmentalization in hydroponic vegetable systems. Results showed carbamazepine accumulated in Chinese flowering cabbage and water spinach with removal efficiencies of 93.0–93.2%. The compound was absorbed by roots and translocated to aboveground tissues, particularly in bottom leaves, reaching 90.3 μmol/kg after 768 h, as confirmed by autoradiography. Subcellular analysis indicated that carbamazepine is predominantly distributed in root organelles and in the soluble fraction of leaves and stems. A strong correlation (R2 > 0.800) was observed between root enrichment coefficients and log KOW for caffeine, carbamazepine, and kresoxim-methyl. Higher lipid content in water spinach roots (2.07%) significantly enhanced upward transport, underscoring lipid content’s role in translocation. Additionally, a higher xylem content in the plant accelerated the transport of carbamazepine. This study provides key insights into the environmental behavior of organic pollutants, supporting efforts in environmental and health protection.

Keywords