Benzoic acid, C12-15-alkyl esters

Endpoint summary

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

basic toxicokinetics in vitro / ex vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Study period:

03.05.2018 – 26.06.2018

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

test procedure in accordance with generally accepted scientific standards and described in sufficient detail

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

assessment report

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

read-across: supporting information

Objective of study:

metabolism

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Hydrolysis of benzoic acid esters was determined and evaluated as described in the EFSA guidelines “Note for Guidance for Food Contact Materials.”

GLP compliance:

no

Purity

Sample 1 shows benzoic acid esters, the derivatization showed no by-products like alcohols or acids.

Hydrolysis with gastric-fluid simulant

The hydrolysis rates in acidic medium after 2 hours for the benzoic acid esters are 30-40%. The degradation rate of the sum of all isomers of the benzoic acid esters is about 35%.

Hydrolysis with intestinal-fluid simulant

In low alkaline-enzyme medium all detected esters in sample 1 indicates a continuously degradation. The hydrolysis rates after 4 hours for the benzoic acid esters are 50-70%. The degradation rate of the sum of all isomers of the benzoic acid esters is about 62%.

Mass balance

Because of the not identified structures of almost all esters present in the solution there is no possibility for the calculation of the mass balance.

Ester  Hydrolysis rate of ester  Benzoic acid ester 1  69  Benzoic acid ester 2  76  Benzoic acid ester 3  80  Benzoic acid ester 4  81  Sum of benzoic acid esters  76

Reference 2

Endpoint:

basic toxicokinetics in vitro / ex vivo

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Study period:

03.05.2018 – 26.06.2018

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

test procedure in accordance with generally accepted scientific standards and described in sufficient detail

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

assessment report

Objective of study:

metabolism

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Hydrolysis of benzoic acid esters was determined and evaluated as described in the EFSA guidelines “Note for Guidance for Food Contact Materials.”

GLP compliance:

no

Purity

Sample 2 shows benzoic acid esters, the derivatization showed dodecanol, tridecanol, tetradecanol and pentadecanol as by-products .

Hydrolysis with gastric-fluid simulant

The hydrolysis rates in acidic medium after 2 hours for the benzoic acid esters are 25-30%. The degradation rate of the sum of all isomers of the benzoic acid esters is about 27%.

Hydrolysis with intestinal-fluid simulant

In low alkaline-enzyme medium all detected esters in sample 2 indicates a continuously degradation. The hydrolysis rates after 4 hours for the benzoic acid esters are 40-55%. The degradation rate of the sum of all isomers of the benzoic acid esters is about 40%.

Mass balance

Because of the not identified structures of almost all esters present in the solution there is no possibility for the calculation of the mass balance.

Ester  Hydrolysis rate of ester  Benzoic acid ester 1  66  Benzoic acid ester 2  56  Benzoic acid ester 3  57  Benzoic acid ester 4  58  Sum of benzoic acid esters 53

Conclusions:

Benzoic acid, C12-15-alkyl ester is a colourless liquid with a low vapour pressure value suggesting low potential for inhalative exposure. The Partition coefficient n-octanol/water suggests potential for bioaccumulation. The physico-chemical properties and the lack of effects observed in acute dermal and inhalation studies confirm that Benzoic acid, C12-15-alkyl ester is not absorbed to a significant degree via the dermal or inhalation route of exposures. After oral take up and intestinal absorption, the test item will be hydrolysed by cleavage of the ester bond and then further metabolized. Slightly elevated liver weights after high dose exposure are indicative of an increased liver metabolism. High dose effects further demonstrate that some systemic distribution takes place. The rather low toxicity observed in repeated dose studies indicates that the test item is unlikely to exert adverse effects by dose accumulation. This is further supported by the fast degradation of the test item in biodegradation studies in which bacteria and single-cell eucaryotes demonstrated mineralisation of the test item to a degree that qualifies the test item to be readily biodegradable. Thus it is highly unlikely that the test item will bioaccumulate.

Executive summary:

Benzoic acid, C12-15-alkyl esteris a colourless liquid with a low vapour pressure value suggesting low potential for inhalative exposure. The Partition coefficient n-octanol/water suggests potential for bioaccumulation.The physico-chemical properties and the lack of effects observed in acute dermal and inhalation studies confirm that Benzoic acid, C12-15-alkyl ester is not absorbed to a significant degree via the dermal or inhalation route of exposures. After oral take up and intestinal absorption, the test item will be hydrolysed by cleavage of the ester bond and then further metabolized. Slightly elevated liver weights after high dose exposure are indicative of an increased liver metabolism. High dose effects further demonstrate that some systemic distribution takes place. The rather low toxicity observed in repeated dose studies indicates that the test item is unlikely to exert adverse effects by dose accumulation. This is further supported by the fast degradation of the test item in biodegradation studies in which bacteria and single-cell eucaryotes demonstrated mineralisation of the test item to a degree that qualifies the test item to be readily biodegradable. Thus it is highly unlikely that the test item will bioaccumulate.

Description of key information

Benzoic acid, C12-15-alkyl ester is a colourless liquid with a low vapour pressure value suggesting low potential for inhalative exposure. The Partition coefficient n-octanol/water suggests potential for bioaccumulation. The physico-chemical properties and the lack of effects observed in acute dermal and inhalation studies confirm that Benzoic acid, C12-15-alkyl ester is not absorbed to a significant degree via the dermal or inhalation route of exposures. After oral take up and intestinal absorption, the test item will be hydrolysed by cleavage of the ester bond and then further metabolized. Slightly elevated liver weights after high dose exposure are indicative of an increased liver metabolism. High dose effects further demonstrate that some systemic distribution takes place. The rather low toxicity observed in repeated dose studies indicates that the test item is unlikely to exert adverse effects by dose accumulation. This is further supported by the fast degradation of the test item in biodegradation studies in which bacteria and single-cell eucaryotes demonstrated mineralisation of the test item to a degree that qualifies the test item to be readily biodegradable. Thus it is highly unlikely that the test item will bioaccumulate.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Bioaccumulation potential:

no bioaccumulation potential