Fumaric acid

Toxicity to aquatic plants other than algae

Administrative data

Endpoint:

toxicity to aquatic plants other than algae

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Study published in a peer-reviewed journal with sufficient detail to enable confident assessment of the method and interpretation of the results

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Inhibition of Salvinia (Salvinia molesta Mitchell) by Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) I. Effect of Leaf Residue and Allelochemicals

Author:

Pandey DK

Year:

1994

Bibliographic source:

Journal of Chemical Ecology 20: 31113122

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Salvinia, a rapidly growing free-floating fern, was grown under outdoor conditions. Biomass and healthy frond numbers were determined after addition of fumaric acid and other chemicals to plant growth medium.

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Fumaric acid

EC Number:

203-743-0

EC Name:

Fumaric acid

Cas Number:

110-17-8

Molecular formula:

C4H4O4

IUPAC Name:

but-2-enedioic acid

Details on test material:

Fumaric acid was isolated from parthemium plant residue and purified in the laboratory.

Test solutions

Vehicle:

yes

Details on test solutions:

Whenever necessary, fumaric acid and other allelochemicals were dissolved in a small quantity of acetone or ethanol or directly prepared in distilled water.

Test organisms

Test organisms (species):

other: Salvinia molesta Mitchell

Details on test organisms:

Salvinia plants were grown and maintained in an aqueous medium consisting of 5% (w/v) mixture of farmland manure powder and field soil (3:1 v/v) in water in 20-liter plastic tubs under outdoor conditions. The growing medium was changed at regular intervals, and the plants from this culture were used for the experiments.

Study design

Test type:

static

Water media type:

freshwater

Limit test:

no

Total exposure duration:

21 d

Test conditions

Nominal and measured concentrations:

10, 25, 50, and 100 ppm fumaric acid

Details on test conditions:

Fumaric acid solutions were made up to one half the total volume with distilled water and the remaining half with nutrient medium

Reference substance (positive control):

no

Results and discussion

Effect concentrations

Duration:

21 d

Dose descriptor:

other: reduction in biomass

Effect conc.:

> 100 other: ppm

Nominal / measured:

nominal

Conc. based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect:

biomass

Details on results:

At 50 ppm fumaric acid, the number of healthy fronds increased by approximately 400% over original value and biomass was reduced by approximately 80% after 21 days of exposure. At 100 ppm, the number of healthy fronds increased by greater than 400% over original value and biomass was reduced by approximately 55% after 21 days of exposure.

Any other information on results incl. tables

Effect of different allelochemicals on number of healthy fronds (HFN) and biomass of salvinia

	HFN (% change over original value)			Biomass (% change over original value)
Allelochemical at 50 ppm	7 days	14 days	21 days	7 days	14 days	21 days
Control	100	300	450	15	80	105
p-Hydroxybenzoic acid	-100	-100	-100	-60	-100	-100
Fumaric acid	75	225	400	10	75	80
Allelochemical at 100 ppm
Control	100	300	500	20	80	105
p-Hydroxybenzoic acid	-100	-100	-100	-100	-100	-100
Fumaric acid	90	225	400	5	45	55

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Remarks:

Although this was a non-traditional study design, sufficient detail is included to assess toxicity to aquatic plants.

Conclusions:

Fumaric acid shows low toxicity to aquatic plants.

Executive summary:

The effect of fumaric acid and other allelochemicals on healthy frond numbers and biomass were examined in the free-floating fern, Salvinia molesta Mitchell. Fumaric acid was added to the plant growth medium at concentrations of 10, 25, 50, and 100 ppm and healthy frond numbers and biomass were determined at 7, 14 and 21 days. At the 100 ppm dose, the number of healthy fronds increased by over 400 % from the original value and biomass was reduced by approximately 55 % after 21 days of exposure. Fumaric acid was not lethal for salvinia plants at 50 or 100 ppm.