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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

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Description of key information

Readily biodegradable: 79.5% in 28 days (OECD 301B)

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

No experimental data evaluating the biodegradation potential of 2,3-dihydroxypropyl laurate (CAS No. 142-18-7) are available. Therefore, a biodegradation study conducted with a structurally related category member (Glycerides, C12-18 di- and tri-, CAS No. 91744-28-4) are used as read-across (in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, Annex XI, 1.5). Both substances are esters formed from the esterification of fatty acids (C12 monoester and C12-18 di- and triester, respectively) and glycerol. Even though Glycerides, C12-18 di- and tri- is an UVCB substance, it has a high content of C12 fatty acids (40-65%) and therefore, it is expected to give a good indication of the biodegradation potential of 2,3-dihydroxypropyl laurate. Furthermore, Glycerides, C12-18 di- and tri- contains longer fatty acid C-chain lengths and a higher degree of esterification (diester and triester) compared to that of 2,3-dihydroxypropyl laurate. These two factors are expected to result in a reduced biodegradation potential of Glycerides, C12-18 di- and tri- with respect to 2,3-dihydroxypropyl laurate, and therefore it is considered a worst-case read-across.

A study evaluating the potential for ready biodegradability of Glycerides, C12-18 di- and tri- (CAS No. 91744-28-4) is available (Flach, 2012). The test was conducted according to OECD Guideline 301B, under GLP conditions. Activated sludge microorganisms were exposed to the test substance for a period of 28 days, and biodegradation followed by measuring the CO2 production in the test vessels. After 28 days, the test substance reached 79.5% biodegradation, and therefore, it can be considered as readily biodegradable. The results obtained in the toxicity control (55% biodegradation within 14 days) show that Glycerides, C12-18 di- and tri- is not toxic to and therefore non-inhibitory of activated sludge microorganisms activity.

Based on the results obtained for the structurally related analogue substance (in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, Annex XI, 1.5), 2,3-dihydroxypropyl laurate can be considered as readily biodegradable.