MIXTURES of PHARMACEUTICALS and PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS (PPCPs) EFFECT PLANT STRESS MARKERS and NUTRIENT UPTAKE in WHEAT and BARLEY

Common drug active substances (gemfibrozil, β-estradiol, caffeine, and ciprofloxacin) were combined in simple mixtures and applied to soil containing wheat or barley. Mixtures in water (50 μg/mL) were applied twice during the growing period. Harvested plant samples were extracted and antioxidant enzyme activities, as indicated by CAT, POD, and SOD were compared in exposed and control plants. Lipid peroxidation markers were also determined. Finally, mineral element uptake in exposed and control plants was determined. The data indicated differences in several, if not all, of the plant biomarkers between control plants and those treated with simple mixtures of pharmaceutical substances; many were directly related to oxidative damage. It was determined that there were statistically significant differences in the element intake of 8 nutrients (magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, mangan, copper, and iron) in control plants compared with plants treated with PPCPs; we observed both increases and decreases in plant nutrients depending on the particular nutrient, pharmaceutical treatment, and plant species.