Reaction products of D-Glucose, n-Butanol and C10-12 (even numbered) alcohols

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Description of key information

ready biodegradability (OECD 301B): 70-80% degradation after 28 days
aerobic degradation, marine (ISO 16221): 80-90% degradation after 28 days

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable

Additional information

Two reliable tests are available on biodegradation of Reaction products of D-Glucose, n-Butanol and C10-12 (even numbered) alcohols.

The key study was conducted under GLP in accordance with OECD guideline 301B (BASF, 2004). Activated sludge from laboratory waste water treatment plant was used as inoculum (30 mg/L dry weight). After 28 days of exposure 70-80% degradation was measured. Hence, the substance is considered as readily biodegradable.

The supporting study investigated the biodegradability under marine environmental conditions (BASF, 2004). The study was conducted under GLP according to ISO guideline 16221. The test is based on the detection of the CO2 evolution of seawater microorganisms. The source of the inoculum was a filter system of synthetic seawater aquaria. Under the reported test conditions 80-90% degradation of the substance occurred within the 28 days test duration. The observed degradation under marine environmental conditions supports the result of the key study, whereas the used test system allows not classifying the substance as ready biodegradable. The substance is considered as biodegradable under marine environmental conditions.

Another supporting study is available from the category member and component of the substance D-Glucopyranose, oligomeric, C10 -16 -alkyl glycosides which is considered as suitable for read-across based on a category approach. In this study conducted according to OECD guideline 306 and GLP, the biodegradation of the test substance in marine environment under aerobic conditions was investigated (ERT Ltd., 2004). Natural seawater served as inoculum (at 2.17 mg/L). After 28 days, 63% degradation of the substance was observed, related to O2 consumption, which confirms the results of the other studies.

This read-across is in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 Annex XI, 1.5 and justified in detail in the overall summary (IUCLID Chapter 5) and within the category justification attached in IUCLID Section 13. In this case of read-across, the best suited (highest degree of structural similarity, nearest physico-chemical properties) read-across substance was used for the assessment. Nevertheless, as it can be seen in the data matrix of the category justification in IUCLID Section 13 and the overall summary (IUCLID Chapter 5), all reliable data in the category support the hazard assessment of each category member by showing a consistent pattern of results.