Plant uptake and transport models for neutral and ionic chemicals.
BACKGROUND
Models for predicting uptake and transport of chemicals in plants are applied in pesticide design, risk assessment, and environmental biotechnology.


OBJECTIVE
This review considers the theoretical basics of the most popular models, and discusses what they have in common. The line is drawn between models for neutral compounds, and models for weak and strong electrolytes.


METHODS
Neutral Compounds. Neutral compounds undergo only very few processes inside plants (lipophilic interactions, metabolism), in contrast to weak electrolytes. The models developed for neutral compounds are widely applied in the risk assessment of environmental contaminants, but are not of much use for weak electrolytes, such as pesticides. Weak electrolytes. A very important process for weak electrolytes is the 'ion trap', which traps chemicals that dissociate inside plant cells. This is considered in the popular models of Kleier, Satchivi and Briggs. Other relevant processes for electrolytes are electrophilic interactions, speciation and complex formation. None of the currently used models considers these processes.


CONCLUSIONS
The accuracy of models for neutral compounds is satisfactory, but the prediction of electrolyte behavior inside plants is still quite difficult due to gaps in knowledge.
Environment & Resources DTU, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet 115, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. stt@er.dtu.dk
Stefan
S
Trapp
D001692:Biological Transport; D001709:Biotechnology; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007477:Ions / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010575:Pesticides / Q000378:metabolism*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*
D004573:Electrolytes; D007477:Ions; D010575:Pesticides; D012989:Soil Pollutants