Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.
The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.
Use of this information is subject to copyright laws and may require the permission of the owner of the information, as described in the ECHA Legal Notice.
EC number: 207-975-3 | CAS number: 503-74-2
Biodegradation in water: screening tests
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
In two valid biodegradability tests similar to OECD TG 301 C and D /Urano 1986 and Dias 1971 respectively), isovaleric acid was found to be readily biodegradable.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
- Biodegradation in water:
- readily biodegradable
Additional information
The biodegradability of isovaleric acid was tested in four studies. In one of them, anaerobic conditions were applied.
Study record |
Method |
Conditions |
Reliability |
Result |
Urano, 1986 |
MITI (I) method; |
aerobic 250 hrs (10.4 days) |
2 (KS) |
0.58 to 0.66 BODd/ThOD within 185 - 200 h readily biodegradable |
Dias, 1971 |
Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 1965, similar to OECD TG 301 D |
aerobic 10 days |
2 (SS) |
71% degradation at day 10 related to ThOD |
Hoechst AG, 1979 |
Zahn-Wellens test; similar to OECD TG 302 B |
aerobic 10 days |
2 (SS) |
>95% degradation at day 5; inherently biodegradable |
Kameya, 1995 |
anaerobic biodegradation test using methanogenic bacteria as inoculum |
anaerobic |
3 (not suited for ready biodegradability) |
complete anaerobic degradation of isobutyric acid within 7 days |
Two tests (Urano, 1986 and Dias, 1971) are pre-guideline tests but the test conditions used are similar to the methods in OECD TG 301 C and 301 D. They are considered valid for the assessment of ready biodegradability. Reporting is limited resulting in a reliability of 2. But test results are considered to be valid for the evaluation of the intrinsic biodegradability of isovaleric acid.
The Hoechst Zahn-Wellens test is also a pre-guideline test. Reporting is very limited but together with the publications of Zahn and Wellens (1974 and 1980), the test method is clearly described. It is similar to OECD TG 302 B and test results are considered to be valid for the evaluation of the intrinsic biodegradability of isovaleric acid
Based on the results of these three studies on biodegradability, isovaleric acid is assessed to be readily biodegradable.
In addition to the results of aerobic biodegradation, isovaleric acid was demonstrated to undergo complete biodegradation under anaerobic conditions within 7 days.
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.
