2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Administrative data

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: inherent biodegradability

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: The study was conducted in accordance with an appropriate OECD test guideline and to GLP. The test period was extended beyond the recommended 28 days as no degradation plateau had been reached on Day 28 of the study.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

1998

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 302 B (Inherent biodegradability: Zahn-Wellens/EMPA Test)

Deviations:

yes

Remarks:

The test temperature fell below the minimum 20°C on some occasions.

GLP compliance:

yes

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride

EC Number:

221-221-0

EC Name:

2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride

Cas Number:

3033-77-0

Molecular formula:

C6H14NO.Cl

IUPAC Name:

N,N,N-trimethyl(oxiran-2-yl)methanaminium chloride

Details on test material:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report): 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride

The study report indicates that purity of the test substance is 73.6%. However, this relates to the material as the marketed product in aqueous solution. Since the test concentrations were determined on the basis of carbon content, it is therefore considered appropriate to report the test substance as being equivalent to the registered substance. No information on impurities is available.

Study design

Oxygen conditions:

aerobic

Inoculum or test system:

activated sludge, domestic, non-adapted

Details on inoculum:

- Source of inoculum/activated sludge: Municipal sewage treatment plant at 65232 Taunusstein-Bleidenstadt

- Storage conditions: Aerated by humidified compressed air

- Storage length: No information

- Pretreatment: The activated sludge was washed three times with drinking water to mainting dissolved organic carbon levels below 5 mg DOC/l. The sludge was allowed to settle for 15 minutes and the supernatant discarded , then the concentrated sludge was made up to the original volume with drinking water.

Duration of test (contact time):

42 d

Initial test substance concentration

Initial conc.:

685 mg/L

Based on:

test mat.

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:

DOC removal

Details on study design:

TEST CONDITIONS
- Composition of medium:

Solution 1: 8.5 g KH2PO4, 21.75 g K2HPO4, 33.5 g Na2HPO4.2H20, 0.5 g NH4Cl in 1 litre deionised water
Solution 2: 36.43 g CaCl2.2H20 in 1 litre deionised water
Solution 3: 22.5 g MgSO4.7H20 in 1 litre deionised water
Solution 4: 0.25 g FeO3.6H20 in 1 litre deionised water

20 ml of Solution 1 and 2 ml each of Solutions 2, 3 and 4 were diluted to 2 litres in the final culture medium.

- Additional substrate: None

- Solubilising agent (type and concentration if used): None

- Test temperature: 19 - 23°C

- pH: 7.00 - 7.61

- pH adjusted: yes


TEST SYSTEM

- Culturing apparatus: 2 litre Erleymeyer flasks

- Number of culture flasks/concentration: 1

- Measuring equipment: DOC Analyzer, pH meter, oximeter

- Test performed in closed vessels due to significant volatility of test substance: No

- Test performed in open system: Yes

- Details of trap for CO2 and volatile organics if used: None


SAMPLING

- Sampling frequency: 0, 3 h and every 3-4 days thereafter

- Sample pre-treatment: Samples were filtered through membrane filters which had previously been boiled in deionised water to remove any organic matter.

- Sample storage before analysis: None


CONTROL AND BLANK SYSTEM

- Inoculum blank: Yes

- Abiotic sterile control: Yes

- Toxicity control: Yes

Reference substance

Reference substance:

benzoic acid, sodium salt

Results and discussion

Preliminary study:

None

% Degradation

% Degradation 1

Parameter:

% degradation (DOC removal)

Value:

5

Sampling time:

8 d

% Degradation 2

Parameter:

% degradation (DOC removal)

Value:

14

Sampling time:

14 d

% Degradation 3

Parameter:

% degradation (DOC removal)

Value:

39

Sampling time:

21 d

% Degradation 4

Parameter:

% degradation (DOC removal)

Value:

61

Sampling time:

28 d

% Degradation 5

Parameter:

% degradation (DOC removal)

Value:

94

Sampling time:

42 d

Details on results:

The degradation value at day 28 was 61 % but no plateau was yet reached, so that the test was prolonged for two further weeks. After 42 days 94 % of EPTAC was degraded.


It was said that an abiotic degradation could not be observed and no bacterial toxicity was measured, but no raw data was presented.

BOD5 / COD results

Results with reference substance:

The control substance degraded to >99 % within 5 days.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Interpretation of results:

inherently biodegradable

Conclusions:

In an inherent biodegradation test conducted in accordance with OECD302B (with deviations), EPTAC attained 94% degradation in 42 days. The authors of the report therefore concluded that EPTAC can be described as inherently biodegradable. However, EU criteria for classification as inherently biodegradable were not met in this study.