vinasses, residue of fermentation, depotassified

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Description of key information

Based on the analogue approach justification, the following results on biodegradability obtained on Vinasses, residue of fermentation, can be applied to the Vinasses, residue of fermentation, depotassified  : readily biodegradable. 

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable

Additional information

One key study is available for Vinasses, residue of fermentation. The biodegradability was tested according to the OECD guideline 301B “Ready Biodegradability: CO2 Evolution Test” (Desmares-Koopmans, 2010). Activated sludge (domestic, non-adapted) was used as inoculum and the test substance was applied at a concentration of 12 mg/L total organic carbon. A biodegradation of 70 – 75% was observed after 29 days without fulfilling the 10-day window criterion. But since Vinasses, residue of fermentation is a UVCB the 10-day window should not be used for interpretation of biodegradability test results of UVCBs according to “OECD Guidelines for the testing of chemicals – Revised introduction to the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals, Section 3 – Part 1: Principles and strategies related to the testing of degradation of organic chemicals degradation” published by OECD (2006). It is possible that a sequential biodegradation took place which might have led to a prolonged lag-phase and therefore to a slower biodegradation period although the test substance was biodegraded in a large amount during the test. In this case the pass level can be applied after test termination. Therefore, Vinasses, residue of fermentation is considered to be readily biodegradable.

Vinasses, residue of fermentation, depotassified and Vinasses, residue of fermantation contain very similar dry matter contents and the same types of components with similar ranges. The test results obtained for Vinasses, residue of fermentation on biodegradation, with fish (short term), daphnia (long term), algae and activated sludge reveal no persistency and no toxicity hazard for the aquatic environment. Therefore, an analogy can be done on these properties between Vinasses, residue of fermentation and Vinasses residue of fermentation, depotassified.

 

OECD (2006) Guidelines for the testing of chemicals – Revised introduction to the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals, Section 3 – Part 1: Principles and strategies related to the testing of degradation of organic chemicals degradation.