Triglycerides, C16-C18 (even numbered) and C18 (unsaturated), maleated

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria

Description of key information

Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria:
- Glycerol: EC3 >10000 mg/L
- Fatty acids, C14-18 and C16-18-unsatd., maleated: EL50 >100 mg/L (OECD 201)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

EC50 for freshwater algae:

100 mg/L

EC10 or NOEC for freshwater algae:

100 mg/L

Additional information

Environmental exposure to High oleic sunflower oil, maleated is hampered by its low water solubility and surface active properties. In case of spills (very high concentrations) it cannot be fully excluded that the substance may cause effects to the gills of fish and local effects due to disturbance of membranes in daphnia and algae. However, such situation is not considered under "normal " use and therefore not taken into consideration. At low concentrations, when taken up by aquatic organisms the substance will be enzymatically broken down to Fatty acids, C14-18 and C16-18-unsatd., maleated and glycerol. Therefore it is considered acceptable to use the data on the breakdown products as starting point.

Glycerol did not inhibit growth of the freshwater algae Scenedesmus quadricauda after exposure for 8 days in a static test. Due to the absence of toxicological effects, the resulting EC3 value was found to be > 10000 mg/L.

Pseudokirchnerella subcapitata was exposed to Fatty acids, C14-18 and C16-18-unsatd., maleated for 72 h in a study conducted according to OECD 201 and GLP. The test was under static conditions and a WAF with nominal concentration of 100 mg/L. Based on the absence of any effects on biomass, growth rates and yield the results indicate that the test material is not toxic to algae up to the limits of its water solubility. Thus, the EL50 and NOLER were determined as >100 mg/L and ≥100 mg/L.

Because both substances are the breakdown products the same result can be expected for High oleic sunflower oil, maleated.