Uptake of Pharmaceuticals by Crops

(Jun 21, 2023)

https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.5700#

New Study Reveals Medicine in Our Food

Research on how crops absorb pharmaceuticals began in the 2000s, but a new systematic review offers the most comprehensive understanding to date. Scientists analyzed data from 150 articles, revealing trends and critical gaps in our knowledge. Lettuce, cress, rice, and zucchini were identified as crops that readily absorb pharmaceuticals. Studies often focus on lettuce and its absorption of two specific drugs: carbamazepine (used to treat epilepsy or acute mania) and sulfamethoxazole (an antibiotic). Absorption rates vary depending on the drug's properties and the type of crop and the lack of standardized methods and incomplete soil data currently limit research.

Researchers at the University of York advocate for standardized methods to facilitate future studies. This will enhance our understanding of the environmental impact of medicines and their presence in our food supply.