Uptake of Antimicrobials Triclosan and Triclocarban by Food Crops.

Triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) are antimicrobials used as disinfectants in personal care products. The antimicrobials find their way to agricultural lands through the application of biosolids or treated wastewater. In this study, antimicrobial uptake and translocation was studied in food crops grown in a hydroponic system. The concentration of these antimicrobials in the nutrient media with time was also monitored. Both TCS and TCC were used at concentrations of 1µM. The media, leaves, stem and roots were analyzed for TCS and TCC. Preliminary results indicate a significant decrease in both TCS and TCC concentrations in the test media in which tomato, cucumber, pumpkin and zucchini were grown. Triclocarban concentration in the roots and shoots of pumpkin and zucchini ranged from 133-530 µg/g and 0.08-0.6µg/g respectively. Triclosan concentrations, on the other hand, ranged from 12.07-130.61µg/g and 0.56-25.43 µg/g respectively. Further studies on different crop species will help us understand the risks associated with phytoaccumulation of antimicrobials and investigate preventive measures.