Aristolochic Acids as Persistent Soil Pollutants: Determination of Risk for Human Exposure and Nephropathy from Plant Uptake

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b04770
• Publication Date: 2018-10-05T07:06:03Z
• Authors: Weiwei Li; Chi-Kong Chan; Yushuo Liu; Jing Yao; Branka Mitić; Emina N. Kostić; Biljana Milosavlj...; Ivana Davinić; William H. Orem; Calin A. Tatu; Peter C. Dedon; Nikola M. Pavlović; Wan Chan
• Keywords: Aristolochic Acid; Aristolochia

Exposure to aristolochic acids (AAs) from Aristolochia plants is one of the major global causes nephropathy, including Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN); renal failure; and urothelial cancer. The high incidence BEN on Peninsula assumed result consumption clematitis L. seeds coharvested with crops. Here, we show that AAs are long-lived soil contaminants enter wheat maize by root uptake strong pH dependence. Soil crops Serbian farms in areas for A. were found be extensively contaminated AAs, contamination strongly correlated local BEN. persistence as suggests weed control needed reduce acid systematic surveys crop AA levels would identify high-risk regions, it imperative research soil-remediation methods.