Uptake and Enantiomeric Selectivity of β-Blockers in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum M.) in Soil–Pot Culture

Abstract

The uptake and translocation of β-blockers in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum M.) were investigated by carrying out a 70-day soil–pot cultivation. The root uptake parameters of β-blockers in lettuce decreased in the order of atenolol (ATE) > sotalol (SOT) > propranolol (PRO) with root bioconcentration factors (BCFsroot/soil) of 0.158, 0.136, and 0.096, respectively, which were positively correlated with their water solubility. The BCFroot/soil of β-blockers in tomato was higher than those in lettuce. ATE and PRO were prone to migrate to the aerial parts of tomato with translocation factors of 3.31 and 4.11, respectively. In tomato fruits, the enantiomeric profile of PRO and ATE shifted to that dominated by the more toxic enantiomer, i.e., (S)-PRO and (R)-ATE. The enantiomeric selectivity of β-blockers in the edible parts of lettuce and tomato indicated the potential ecotoxicity of these pharmaceuticals for plants and the human exposure risk via vegetable intake.