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

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

Description of key information

Short-term toxicity to invertebrates:
- Glycerol: EC50 >10000 mg/L (DIN 38412 Teil 1)
- Fatty acids, C14-18 and C16-18-unsatd., maleated: EL50 >100 mg/L (OECD 202)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Fresh water invertebrates

Fresh water invertebrates

Effect concentration:

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.

Acute toxicity to invertebrates of High oleic sunflower oil, maleated was investigated in a study performed according to OECD 202 and GLP. Because no mortality or immobilization of the daphnids were observed at nominal concentration of 100 mg/L after 24 and 48 h exposure, the NOEC was determined to be > 100 mg/L.

Acute toxicity to invertebrates by glycerol was investigated in a study performed in accordance to DIN 38412 Teil 1. Daphnia magna were exposed to glycerol for 24 h and based on the evaluation of mobility the EC50 of glycerol was found to be >10000 mg/L.

A EL50 of >100 mg/L and a NOELR of ≥100 mg/L were determined for Fatty acids, C14-18 and C16-18-unsatd., maleated ina study performed I accordance to OECD 202 and GLP. The nominal loading rate was 100 mg/L and a WAF was used to exposed daphnia in this semi-static test. No behavioural abnormalities and no mortality were apparent. It was concluded that that the test material is not toxic to daphnia up to the limits of its water solubility.

The fact, that the value found for High oleic sunflower oil, maleated is in line with the results of the two the breakdown products, indicates similar lack of toxicological properties towards aquatic organisms.