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Ecotoxicological information

Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates

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Description of key information

- EC50 = 40 mg/l after 24 h | Daphnia magna | DIN 38412-L 11 | tallow soap
- EC50 = 48 mg/l after 24 h | Daphnia magna | DIN 38412-L 11 | sodium laurate 
- EC50 = 25 mg/l after 24 h | Daphnia magna | DIN 38412-L 11 | palm kernel soap
- EC50 = >500 mg/l after 24 h | Daphnia magna | OECD 202 | olive oil

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Additional information

Using the Daphnia test (DIN 38412 L11), the acute toxicity of soaps (tallow soap and palm kernel soap) and alkali-carboxylate (sodium laurate) were examined for the possible influence of soaps on aquatic biological communities. The EC values found are summarized below:


 

24 h EC0

[mg/l]

24 h EC50

[mg/l]

24 h EC100

[mg/l]

Sodium laurate

15

48

125

Palm kernel soap

6.3

25

50

Tallow soap

30

40

50

Sodium laurate is less toxic to Daphnia magna. The technical soaps are in their toxicity spectra in a similar range as the sodium laurate.
The palm kernel soap is compared with the suet in the EC50 and EC0 values significantly more toxic.

Tallow soap contains:

- 40% Oleic acid

- 25% Palmitic acid

- 19% Stearic acid

- 5% Linoleic acid

- 3% Palmitoleic acid

- 3% Myristic acid

- 1% Linolenic acid

Palmitic acid and stearic acid are the both major components of the fatty acid C16 -18, sodium salt.

For this reason, the fatty acid C16 -18, sodium salt has a similar acute toxicity to Daphnia magna like the tallow soap.

In the static test according OECD Guideline 202 the test organisms (Daphnia magna) are exposed to the test substance olive oil added to water at a range of concentrations (approximately 20 animals per concentration) for a period of 24 hours. Immobilities (the loss of the ability to swim) are recorded and ultimately, the EC0 and the EC100 are determined. Based on these data the EC50 is calculated.

The following results were obtained for Comperlan COD

EC0 = 500 mg active matter /l

EC50 > 500 mg active matter /l

The fatty acid composition of olive oil is:

- Myristic acid ca. 10%

- Palmitic acid ca. 3%

- Oleic acid ca 80%

- Linoleic acid ca. 7%

- unsaponifiables ca. 1.2%

Palmitic acid is a major component of the fatty acid C16 -18, sodium salt.
From these available studies and the fact that the fatty acid C16 -18, sodium salt is completely biodegradable, it can be derived that the fatty acid C16 -18, sodium salt has a low acute toxicity to Daphnia magna.