4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: screening test, other

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Study period:

1979

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the theoretical degradation by conversion to CO2 in 24 days, employing a mixed inoculum obtained from sludge.

GLP compliance:

no

Oxygen conditions:

anaerobic

Inoculum or test system:

activated sludge, adapted

Details on inoculum:

A serum-bottle variation of the Hungate technique for growing anaerobic bacteria was adapted from Miller and Wolin. Defined medium was inoculated with 10% (vol/vol) seed from a laboratory anaerobic digester fed primary settled sewage sludge on a 15-day detention time. Serum bottles (250-ml) were flushed (500 ml/min) with oxygen-free gas for 20 min before the inoculated medium was added. These cultures were incubated in the dark at 35°C.

Duration of test (contact time):

24 d

Initial conc.:

300 mg/L

Based on:

test mat.

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:

CO2 evolution

Key result

Parameter:

% degradation (CO2 evolution)

Value:

86

Sampling time:

24 d

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not applicable

Interpretation of results:

other: This testing does not allow to conclude on rapid degradability in the regulatory meaning of the term.

Conclusions:

Ferulic acid, present at 300 ppm in water, reached 86% of its theoretical degradation by conversion to CO2 in 24 days, employing a mixed inoculum obtained from sludge.
Although this testing suggests that Ferulic acid easily degrades in anaerobic conditions, this testing does not allow to conclude on rapid degradability of the substance in the regulatory meaning of the term.

Executive summary:

Ferulic acid is expected to easily degrade in water under anaerobic conditions. However, this testing does not allow to conclude on rapid degradability of the substance in the regulatory meaning of the term.

Reference 2

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: screening test, other

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the theoretical degradation by CO2 production in 9 days, employing a mixed inoculum obtained from sludge, in which the medium had been acclimated with ferulic acid for 540 days.

GLP compliance:

no

Oxygen conditions:

anaerobic

Inoculum or test system:

activated sludge, adapted

Initial conc.:

300 mg/L

Parameter:

% degradation (CO2 evolution)

Value:

98

Sampling time:

9 d

Remarks on result:

other:

Remarks:

employing a mixed inoculum obtained from sludge(2), in which the medium had been acclimated with ferulic acid for 540 days

Details on results:

Total gas produced reached 98% after 9 days i.e. 1.53 mmol actual measured for 1.55 Theoretical with medium enrich with ferulic acid.

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not applicable

Interpretation of results:

other: This testing does not allow to conclude on rapid degradability in the regulatory meaning of the term.

Conclusions:

Ferulic acid, present at 300 ppm in water, reached 98% of its theoretical degradation by CO2 production in 9 days, employing a mixed inoculum obtained from sludge, in which the medium had been acclimated with ferulic acid for 540 days. Although this testing suggests that Ferulic acid easily degrades in anaerobic conditions, this testing does not allow to conclude on rapid degradability of the substance in the regulatory meaning of the term.

Executive summary:

Ferulic acid, present at 300 ppm in water, reached 98% of its theoretical degradation by CO2 production in 9 days, employing a mixed inoculum obtained from sludge, in which the medium had been acclimated with ferulic acid for 540 days. Degradation products detected were p-hydroxycinnamic acid, cinnamic acid, and phenylpropionic acid.

Therefore, Ferulic acid is expected to easily degrade in water under anaerobic conditions. However, this testing does not allow to conclude on rapid degradability in the regulatory meaning of the term.

Description of key information

Two studies carried out under anaerobic conditions refer to the degradation of Ferulic acid in water.

In the first study, Ferulic acid, present at 300 ppm in water reached 86% of its theoretical degradation by conversion to CO2 in 24 days, employing a mixed inoculum obtained from sludge.

In the second study, Ferulic acid present at 300 ppm in water, reached 98% of its theoretical degradation by CO2 production in 9 days, employing a mixed inoculum obtained from sludge, in which the medium had been acclimated with ferulic acid for 540 days.

Although these suggest that Ferulic acid easily degrades in these conditions, those two testings do not allow to conclude on rapid degradability in the regulatory meaning of the term. Indeed, data regarding anaerobic degradation can not be used in relation to deciding whether a substance should be regarded as rapidly degradable, because the aquatic environment is generally regarded as the aerobic compartment where the aquatic organisms, such as those employed for aquatic hazard classification, live (A9.4.2.4.11).

Therefore, although Ferulic acid is expected to easily degrade in these conditions (under anaerobic conditions), it shall be considered as not rapidly degradable.