Evaluation of pesticide uptake by Lupinus seeds

Pesticide uptake by seeds depends on the properties of the chemical, such as structure, stability, log k ow and diffusion rate, type of water, pH, temperature, content of organic matter and composition, and on seed characteristics such as permeability of the seed coat. The efficiency with which Lupinus angustifolius seeds retain different herbicides (simazine, atrazine, isoproturon, linuron,) and insecticides (carbaryl, fenamiphos, permethrin) was evaluated using both a batch and a continuous system. Factors which affect pesticide uptake by seeds, such as flow rate, seed biomass, pesticide concentration, contact time, pH, seed saturation and also the speed of the retention process for 17 days, were tested. L. angustifolius showed a high retention capacity for the above mentioned pesticides. The extraction of pesticides from seeds using different organic solvents, such as methanol, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate and n-hexane was evaluated and no pesticide residues were detected in any of the solvents tested. This could be attributed to the capacity of the seed to degrade the pesticides. From the results obtained, L. angustifolius seems to be a promising seed to be applied for phytoremediation of industrial effluents or contaminated water.