Glycerides, C12-18 mono-, di- and tri-

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Description of key information

Readily biodegradable: 79.5% in 28 days (OECD 301B) but failing the 10 -day window for the Glycerides, C12 -18, di- and tri- (CAS: 91744 -28 -4) (read across).

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable but failing 10-day window

Type of water:

freshwater

Additional information

A study evaluating the potential for ready biodegradability of Glycerides, C12-18 di- and tri- (CAS No. 91744-28-4) is available (Flach, 2012). The test was conducted according to OECD Guideline 301B, under GLP conditions. Activated sludge microorganisms were exposed to the test substance for a period of 28 days, and biodegradation followed by measuring the CO2 production in the test vessels. The results obtained in the toxicity control (55% biodegradation within 14 days) show that Glycerides, C12-18 di- and tri- is not toxic to and therefore non-inhibitory of activated sludge microorganisms activity. After 28 days, the test substance reached 79.5% biodegradation, but failing the 10-day window criteria. Since the test item is a UVCB substance and consists of structurally similar constituents with [e.g. different chain-lengths, degree and/or site of branching or stereo-isomers], sequential (instead of concurrent) biodegradation of the individual structures can take place, but all can be considered as readily biodegradable. Thus, referring to Annex I to the OECD Guideline for Testing of Chemicals ‘Revised introduction to the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals, section 3’ (OECD, March 2006), the 10-day window should not be considered for this UVCB substance and due to a degradation of >60 % within 28 days the substance can be regarded as readily biodegradable.