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Environmental fate & pathways

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

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Description of key information

Major constituents of Bergamot oil (limonene, linalool and linalyl acetate, 72%) and related monoterpenes and terpenoid and related esters are known to be readily biodegradable. Thus the NCS itself is readily biodegradable as well. 

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:
readily biodegradable

Additional information

Bergamot oil is a Natural Complex Substance (NCS) for which 97.4% of the constituents has been identified. The constituents are grouped as predominantly monoterpenoid hydrocarbons with one or more double bonds or related esters (97%). In the typical Bergamot oil, the main constituents are D-limonene, linalyl acetate and Linalool. As no valid empirical results from a test for the ready biodegradation of Bergamot oil are available, the assessment is based on data for its constituents. The assumption is that if the constituents of the NCS are readily biodegradable, the NCS itself is readily biodegradable as well.

For almost all known constituents typically comprising 96.6% of the composition, the available data obtained in tests on the ready biodegradability show that the constituents are readily biodegradable. For some constituents (<1%) the ready biodegradability is decided based on the ready biodegradability of structurally related substances. Thus 97.3% of the composition of this NCS is in the category of ready biodegradable substances and therefore Bergamot oil is considered as readily biodegradable.

 

With the exception of two constituents (typically present at or below 0.05%), all other known constituents are considered to be readily biodegradable. Based on BIOWIN predictions, these two constituents do not meet the screening criteria for 'Persistent' (PBT-criteria).