Plant
uptake was evaluated in a greenhouse study
involving three food crops: corn, lettuce, and
potato. Plants were grown on soil modified
with liquid hog manure containing
Sulfamethazine, a commonly used veterinary
antibiotic. This antibiotic was taken
up by all three crops. Concentrations of
antibiotics were found in the plant leaves.
Concentrations in plant tissue also increased
as the amount of antibiotics present in the
manure increased. It also diffused into potato
tubers, which suggests that root crops, such
as potatoes, carrots, and radishes, that
directly come in contact with soil may be
particularly vulnerable to antibiotic
contamination."
Further to
Toxic Fertilizer linked to Mad Cow Disease?
here is some more bad news regarding
antibiotic overload
even through organic produce.... This
further emphasizes the need to
buy our food from known local
sources.
Those juicing please note that carrots
particularly, are often used to clean up toxic
soils as they have a particular affinity to
pick up toxins hence the need to ensure clean
sources....
Chris Gupta
http://tinyurl.com/ 2kwtv8
----------
Plants uptake antibiotics
(Original is here.)
Public release date: 11-Jul-2007
Contact: Sara Uttech
suttech@agronomy.org
608-268-4948
Soil Science Society of America
Routine feeding of antibiotics to
livestock may be contaminating the environment
MADISON, WI, JULY 09, 2007- Scientists at
the University of Minnesota have been
evaluating the impact of antibiotic feeding in
livestock production on the environment. This
particular study, funded by the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA), evaluated
whether food crops accumulate antibiotics from
soils spread with manure that contains
antibiotics. Results from the study are
published in the
July-August 2007 issue of the Journal of
Environmental Quality . The research was
also presented in Indianapolis, IN at the
Annual Soil Science Society of America Meeting
in November 2006.
Plant uptake was evaluated in a greenhouse
study involving three food crops: corn,
lettuce, and potato. Plants were grown on soil
modified with liquid hog manure containing
Sulfamethazine, a commonly used veterinary
antibiotic. This antibiotic was taken up by
all three crops. Concentrations of antibiotics
were found in the plant leaves. Concentrations
in plant tissue also increased as the amount
of antibiotics present in the manure
increased. It also diffused into potato
tubers, which suggests that root crops, such
as potatoes, carrots, and radishes, that
directly come in contact with soil may be
particularly vulnerable to antibiotic
contamination.
The ability of plants to absorb antibiotics
raises the potential for contamination of
human food supply. However, Satish Gupta,
group leader notes "The adverse impacts of
consuming plants that contain small quantities
of antibiotics are largely unknown".
Consumption of antibiotics in plants may cause
allergic reactions in sensitive populations,
such as young children. There is also concern
that consuming antibiotics may lead to the
development of antimicrobial resistance, which
can render antibiotics ineffective.
Holly Dolliver, the lead scientist in this
study, notes that antibiotics consumed by
plants may be of particular concern to the
organic farming industry. Manure is often the
main source of crop nutrients for organic food
production, since regulations prohibit the use
of synthetic fertilizers. According to the
USDA, producers must manage animal materials
in a manner that does not contribute to
contamination of crops by residues of
prohibited substances, which includes
antibiotics. However,
manures containing antibiotics are not
formally banned or prohibited.
Further research is needed to investigate
the presence of antibiotics in edible parts of
plants, especially vegetables that are
consumed raw, and how different
plants absorb different antibiotic compounds.
Research is ongoing at the University of
Minnesota to further investigate the potential
fate and transport of antibiotics introduced
to the environment from livestock operations.
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