Filter cake from enzyme fermentation, consisting of fungal biomass and inorganic filtration aid

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Description of key information

Vinasses, residue of fermentation is readily biodegradable. Therefore, based on read-across by grouping of substances, the other members of the category are considered to be readily biodegradable as well.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable

Additional information

The biodegradation of vinasses, residue of fermentation was tested according to the OECD guideline 301B “Ready Biodegradability: CO2 Evolution Test” (Desmares-Koopmans, 2010). Activated sludge (domestic, non-adapted) was used as inoculum and the test substance was applied at a concentration of 12 mg/L total organic carbon. A biodegradation of 70 – 75% was observed after 29 days without fulfilling the 10-day window criterion. But since vinasses, residue of fermentation is a UVCB the 10-day window should not be used for interpretation of biodegradability test results of UVCBs according to “OECD Guidelines for the testing of chemicals – Revised introduction to the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals, Section 3 – Part 1: Principles and strategies related to the testing of degradation of organic chemicals degradation” published by OECD (2006). It is possible that a sequential biodegradation took place which might have led to a prolonged lag-phase and therefore to a slower biodegradation period although the test substance was biodegraded in a large amount during the test. In this case the pass level can be applied after test termination. Therefore, vinasses, residue of fermentation is considered to be readily biodegradable.

OECD (2006) Guidelines for the testing of chemicals – Revised introduction to the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals, Section 3 – Part 1: Principles and strategies related to the testing of degradation of organic chemicals degradation.