Uptake and translocation of polymeric nanoparticulate drug delivery systems into ryegrass

This study focuses on the transport behavior of model polymeric nanoparticulate drug delivery systems (PNDDSs) across ryegrass roots to determine whether uncontrolled and accidental releases of PNDDSs may enter into the food chain. It was shown that uptake of PNDDS ranging from 46 nm to 271 nm into ryegrass roots could take place. Upon exposing ryegrass to an aqueous PNDDS dispersion for 312 h, 91 +/- 6%, 64 +/- 3%, and 26 +/- 8% of PNDDSs were localized in and on the ryegrass for 46 nm, 159 nm, and 271 nm PNDDS, respectively. The overall transport of PNDDSs from the solution to the ryegrass could be modeled well as a first-order adsorption process, which was followed by a first-order uptake process. The adsorption of PNDDSs onto the roots was found to be much faster than the uptake of PNDDSs into the roots.