Accumulation and Subcellular Distribution Patterns of Carbamazepine in Hydroponic Vegetables

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 <i>K</i>_OW 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.