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EC number: 266-113-4 | CAS number: 66071-94-1 Substance obtained by the partial removal of water from the liquid resulting from steeping corn in a water and sulphur dioxide solution which is allowed to ferment by the action of naturally occurring lactic acid-producing microorganisms.
Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
In accordance with section 1 of Annex IX, the growth inhibition study aquatic plants (section 9.1.2.) does not need to be conducted as corn steep liquor (CSL) consists of all-natural, water soluble components (crude proteins, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, reducing sugars, organic acids, enzymes and other elemental nutrients), that have been extracted by soaking corn in water, along with a very small amount of sulfurous acid (<0.01%). CSL has a long history of safe use as an added source of nutrition in animal feed, in fermentation processes, and in antibiotic production. As well, CSL is readily biodegradable. On this basis, CSL is not expected to cause adverse toxic effects to the environment.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Additional information
Corn steep liquor (CSL) consists of all-natural, water soluble components (crude proteins, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, reducing sugars, organic acids, enzymes and other elemental nutrients), that have been extracted by soaking corn in water, along with a very small amount of sulfurous acid (<0.01%). CSL has a long history of safe use as an added source of nutrition in animal feed, in fermentation processes, and in antibiotic production. As well, CSL is readily biodegradable. On this basis, CSL is not expected to cause adverse toxic effects to the environment.
While no studies are available on CSL, one study addressing toxicity of lactic acid, a major component of CSL, to aquatic algae is presented in the dossier.
Toxicity to the aquatic algae Selenastrum capricornutum (new name: Pseudokirchnerella subcapitata) was assessed according to OECD guideline 201 (Alga, Growth Inhibition Test) under Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) in 1992 at Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research – TNO. The algae were exposed to lactic acid under static conditions for 70 hours. The 70–hour ErC50 was determined to be 3.5 mg/L.
It is unlikely that CSL (containing lactic acid) will reach water bodies in a concentrated form since manufacture of CSL is controlled and its primary use is as an additive in animal feed. This would result in only very dilute material potentially reaching water bodies. On this basis, no toxicity to aquatic plants is expected.
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