Pharmaceutical contamination of aquatic environments is an emerging concern, particularly for over-the-counter drugs such as paracetamol (PA) and pseudoephedrine (PSE), which persist in surface waters due to incomplete wastewater treatment. This study investigated the bioaccumulation and physiological responses of Lemna minor exposed to PA, PSE, and their mixtures at environmentally relevant concentrations. Accumulation in fronds was quantified, and plant responses were assessed using biomass, chlorophyll content, and phenolic compounds. PSE showed strong, concentration-dependent accumulation, increasing significantly (p p a content, with the highest mixture treatment showing a 66% increase relative to control. PCA revealed a shift from photosynthetic investment toward secondary metabolism under pharmaceutical exposure. These asymmetric interactions demonstrate that mixture effects cannot be predicted from assays. Lemna minor exhibited sensitivity to pharmaceutical stress and a capacity to accumulate PSE, supporting its use as a bioindicator and phytoremediator.
Urbaniak et al. (Thu,) studied this question.