Malonic acid

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability

Type of information:

read-across based on grouping of substances (category approach)

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

data from handbook or collection of data

Justification for type of information:

Testing is not considered necessary in view of assessment of being readily biodegradable. Normally, it is difficult to justify not performing this test as it is so important for the environmental assessment. However, in view of the rapid biodegradation of oxalic acid and succinic acid and the use of carboxylic acids as positive control substances, it is considered in this case unnecessary to perform a test on malonic acid.

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Assessment of biodegradation using grouping approach with short-chained dicarboxylic acids and QSAR modelling

GLP compliance:

no

Oxygen conditions:

aerobic

Test performance:

Modelled using EPISuite, published by US EPA

Details on results:

Output of EPISuite:Probability of Rapid Biodegradation (BIOWIN v4.10): Biowin1 (Linear Model) : 0.8434 Biowin2 (Non-Linear Model) : 0.9436 Expert Survey Biodegradation Results: Biowin3 (Ultimate Survey Model): 3.6984 (days-weeks ) Biowin4 (Primary Survey Model) : 4.4687 (hours-days ) MITI Biodegradation Probability: Biowin5 (MITI Linear Model) : 0.8143 Biowin6 (MITI Non-Linear Model): 0.9020 Anaerobic Biodegradation Probability: Biowin7 (Anaerobic Linear Model): 1.2356 Ready Biodegradability Prediction: YES

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not applicable

Interpretation of results:

readily biodegradable

Conclusions:

It is concluded that the substance is readily biodegradable and would fulfil the 10-day window criteria. This conclusion is based on review of similar low molecular weight dicarboxylic acids, including oxalic and succinic acids as well as modelling methods.

Executive summary:

The grouping approach is considered valid in terms of assessment of environmental fate and effects

Description of key information

In view of the rapid biodegradation of oxalic acid and succinic acid and the use of carboxylic acids as positive control substances, it is considered in this case unnecessary to perform a test on malonic acid. Modelling has also been undertaken. Malonic acid occurs in nature and is formed and consumed during cellular metabolic processes.

 

Output of EPISuite:

Probability of Rapid Biodegradation (BIOWIN v4.10):

  Biowin1 (Linear Model)        :  0.8434

  Biowin2 (Non-Linear Model)    :  0.9436

 Expert Survey Biodegradation Results:

  Biowin3 (Ultimate Survey Model):  3.6984 (days-weeks )

  Biowin4 (Primary Survey Model) :  4.4687 (hours-days )

 MITI Biodegradation Probability:

  Biowin5 (MITI Linear Model)   :  0.8143

  Biowin6 (MITI Non-Linear Model):  0.9020

 Anaerobic Biodegradation Probability:

  Biowin7 (Anaerobic Linear Model): 1.2356

 

Ready Biodegradability Prediction:  YES

 

It is concluded that the substance is readily biodegradable and would fulfil the 10-day window criteria. This conclusion is based on review of similar low molecular weight dicarboxylic acids, including oxalic and succinic acids as well as modelling methods.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable

Type of water:

freshwater