Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 232-395-2 | CAS number: 8013-75-0 A combination of amyl alcohols, primarily isoamyl alcohol and 2-methyl-1-butanol. Other alcohols, acids, esters and aldehydes may also be present.
Biodegradation in water: screening tests
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
Readily biodegradable: 70-80% in 28 days (O2 consumption; OECD 301 D); read-across
Key value for chemical safety assessment
- Biodegradation in water:
- readily biodegradable
Additional information
Ready biodegradation studies are available for three of the four main constituents of Fusel oil.
The key ready biodegradability study carried out with 2-Methylbutanol (CAS No. 137-32-6), was performed following the OECD Guideline 310 (BASF, 2010). Activated sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant was used as inoculum. During the 28-day test period, biodegradation reached 93%, based on TOC removal, and the 10-day window was met.
The key ready biodegradability study carried out with 2-Methylpropanol (CAS No. 78-83-1), was performed following the OECD Guideline 301 D (Waggy et al., 1994). Coarse-filtered mixture of domestic treatment plant effluents and rich soil microorganisms were used as inoculum. During the 28-day test period, biodegradation reached 70 - 80%, based on O2 consumption, and the 10-day window was met.
The key ready biodegradability study carried out with Ethanol (CAS No. 64-17-5), was performed following the OECD Guideline 301 B (Birch and Fletcher, 1991). Secondary effluent from an activated sludge plant was used as inoculum. During the 28-day test period, biodegradation reached 97%, based on CO2 evolution, and the 10-day window was met.
Further supporting studies are available for 2-Methylpropan-1-ol (CAS No. 78-83-1) and Ethanol (CAS No. 64-17-5), and all indicate rapid biodegradation of the substances.
No biodegradation studies are available for 3-Methylbutanol (CAS No. 123-51-3), but this constituent is structurally very similar to 2-Methylbutanol. Both are branched primary aliphatic alcohols with five carbons. Biodegradation pathways are thus expected to be similar for both constituents, and 3-Methylbutanol is expected to be readily biodegradable as well.
In conclusion, Fusel oil is considered readily biodegradable according to OECD criteria.
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