Phytoremediation of carbamazepine and its metabolite 10,11-epoxycarbamazepine by C3 and C4 plants

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 22; no. 24; pp. 20271 - 20282
• Main Authors: Ryšlavá, Helena, Pomeislová, Alice, Pšondrová, Šárka, Hýsková, Veronika, Smrček, Stanislav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2015
• Subjects: acetaminophen; anticonvulsants; Anticonvulsants - analysis; Anticonvulsants - metabolism; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biodegradation, Environmental; C3 plants; C4 plants; Carbamazepine - analogs & derivatives; Carbamazepine - analysis; Carbamazepine - metabolism; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; corn; Czech Republic; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Helianthus - drug effects; Helianthus - growth & development; Helianthus - metabolism; Helianthus annuus; hydrophobicity; Hydroponics; ibuprofen; leaves; lignification; metabolism; metabolites; peroxidases; phytoremediation; Plant Leaves - drug effects; Plant Leaves - growth & development; Plant Leaves - metabolism; polluted soils; Research Article; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; Waste Water Technology; wastewater; Water Management; water pollution; Water Pollution Control; xylem; Zea mays; Zea mays - drug effects; Zea mays - growth & development; Zea mays - metabolism; Czech Republic; NADP-ME; Peroxidases; Acetaminophen; Ibuprofen; 10,11-Epoxycarbamazepine; PEPC; Carbamazepine; Phytoremediation
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5190-3

The anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine is considered as an indicator of sewage water pollution: however, its uptake by plants and effect on metabolism have not been sufficiently documented, let alone its metabolite (10,11-epoxycarbamazepine). In a model system of sterile, hydroponically cultivated Zea mays (as C₄ plant) and Helianthus annuus (as C₃ plant), the uptake and effect of carbamazepine and 10,11-epoxycarbamazepine were studied in comparison with those of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen were effectively extracted from drug-supplemented media by both plants, while the uptake of more hydrophobic carbamazepine was much lower. On the other hand, the carbamazepine metabolite, 10,11-epoxycarbamazepine, was, unlike sunflower, willingly taken up by maize plants (after 96 h 88 % of the initial concentration) and effectively stored in maize tissues. In addition, the effect of the studied pharmaceuticals on the plant metabolism (enzymes of Hatch-Slack cycle, peroxidases) was followed. The activity of bound peroxidases, which could cause xylem vessel lignification and reduction of xenobiotic uptake, was at the level of control plants in maize leaves contrary to sunflower. Therefore, our results indicate that maize has the potential to remove 10,11-epoxycarbamazepine from contaminated soils.