Registration Dossier

Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets

Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.

The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.

Diss Factsheets

Ecotoxicological information

Toxicity to soil microorganisms

Currently viewing:

Administrative data

Link to relevant study record(s)

Description of key information

The chemical safety assessment according to Annex I of Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 does not indicate the need to investigate further the toxicity to soil microorganisms.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

No experimental data evaluating the toxicity of Glycerides, C8-21 and C8-21-unsaturated, mono- and di-, acetates (CAS No. 97593-30-1) to soil microorganisms are available.However, information gathered from several independent sources is combined in a Weight of Evidence approach, in accordance to the REACh Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, Annex XI General rules for adaptation of the standard testing regime set out in Annexes VII to X, 1.2, to cover the data requirements of Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, Annex IX. This approach provides enough evidence to state that this substance is unlikely to exert toxicity to soil microorganisms.

 

According to Chapter R7.b of the Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment (ECHA, 2008), for substances with a good biodegradation rate in a ready biodegradation test, inhibitory effects to aquatic microorganisms are not expected. Glycerides, C8-21 and C8-21-unsaturated, mono- and di-, acetatesis readily biodegradable (83% biodegradation after 28 days). Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned guidance, a test on soil microbial activity will be additionally necessary for a valid PNEC derivation only if inhibition of sewage sludge microbial activity has occurred.The ready biodegradability test included a toxicity control, reaching 67.3% biodegradation within 14 days, clearly indicating the lack of toxic potential of Glycerides, C8-21 and C8-21-unsaturated, mono- and di-, acetates to aquatic microorganisms.

Literature data evaluating the effects of fatty acid esters, including one of the Glyceride category members (Glycerol tristearate, CAS No. 555-43-1) to soil microorganisms are available. Hita et al. (1996) investigated the degradation of the model molecule tristearin (Glycerol tristearate) in three different soils for 4 weeks. The amount of stearic acid increased in considerable amounts during the experiment showing the hydrolytic activity of lipases breaking the ester bonds. Furthermore, the investigation of ester fractions showed the generation of new alkanoic acids (methyl stearate, ethyl stearate and propyl stearate) which were not determined in the controls. Nevertheless the amounts were no longer present after 4 weeks, which leads to the assumption that degradation by soil microorganisms had occurred. The same was shown by Cecutti et al. (2002) and Banchio and Gramajo (1997) for other fatty acid esters. In the first test, one soil sample was chosen and incubated with methyl oleate (plant oil) for 120 days. Methyl oleate and its metabolites were completely degraded after 60 days. Streptomyces coelicolor, a common gram-positive soil bacterium uses fatty acids (C4-C18) as sole carbon end energy source indicating that fatty acids are not-toxic and can be used for catabolism (Banchio and Gramajo, 1997). The available literature data shows that soil microorganisms are capable to break-up ester bonds and degrade fatty acids in significant amounts. Moreover, the data indicated the non-toxic properties of fatty acids since they can be used as energy source. Effects on soil microorganisms are thus not expected to be of concern for this substance.

 

Based on all the available information for the Weight of Evidence approach (in accordance with Annex XI, 1.2) effects on soil microorganisms are thus not expected to be of concern, and consequently, no further testing is required.  

A detailed reference list is provided in the technical dossier (see IUCLID, section 13) and within the CSR.