Benzyl benzoate

Biodegradation in water: screening tests

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

biodegradation in water: ready biodegradability

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

23/6/1992 - 21/7/1992

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Remarks:

This study was carried out according to EU guideline C.4-D and GLP standards were maintained throughout.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method C.4-D (Determination of the "Ready" Biodegradability - Manometric Respirometry Test)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Oxygen conditions:

aerobic

Inoculum or test system:

activated sludge, domestic (adaptation not specified)

Details on inoculum:

The inoculum was an activated sludge taken from a laboratory activated sludge facility fed with municipal waste water. The sample was taken on 22/6/1992.

Duration of test (contact time):

28 d

Initial conc.:

100 mg/L

Based on:

test mat.

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:

O2 consumption

Details on study design:

A weighed amount of the test substance was added to mineral medium to create a test concentration of 100 mg/l. The test media was inoculated with activated sludge and incubated for 28 days under aerobic conditions. Test temperature was 20± 1°C. During this time the oxygen consumption in the test vessels was measured with a respirometer. The rate of oxygen consumption was used to determine the biological degradation of the test substance.

Reference substance:

aniline

Preliminary study:

No information provided

Test performance:

All validity criteria for the test were met and the eference substance was 75% degraded within 28 days.

Parameter:

% degradation (O2 consumption)

Value:

94

Sampling time:

28 d

Details on results:

The test substance was found to be 94% degraded within 28 days and is thus considered to be readily biodegradable.

Results with reference substance:

The reference substance (aniline) was 75% degraded within 28 days.

Table 1: Oxygen consumption and calculated degradation results

Day	Oxygen consumption (mg/l)		Biological degradation in %
	Test substance	Control
2	101	3	41
4
6	195	9	77
8	208	11	82
10	217	11	85
12
14	226	12	89
16	231	13	90
18
20	234	14	91
22	235	14	92
24	239	15	93
26
28	242	15	94

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Interpretation of results:

readily biodegradable

Conclusions:

The test substance was 94% degraded after 28 days and is therefore considered readily biodegradable.

Executive summary:

A 28 -day biodegradation study was carried out for benzyl benzoate according to EU method C.4 -D. The test substance was added to mineral medium to create a test concentration of 100 mg/l. Test solutions were inoculated with activated sludge and incubated under aerobic conditions for 28 days. Test temperature was 20 ± 1oC. The dissolved oxygen concentration was measured with a respirometer and the biodegradation of the substance was calculated from oxygen consumption. The test substance was found to be 94% degraded after 28 days. The 10-day window was met. Thus, the test substance is considered to be readily biodegradable.

Description of key information

Benzyl benzoate was found to be 94% degraded in an EU-method C.4 ready biodegradability test. As such, the substance is considered to be readily biodegradable.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable

Type of water:

freshwater

Additional information

A 28-day biodegradation study was carried out for benzyl benzoate according to EU method C.4 -D. The test substance was added to mineral medium to create a test concentration of 100 mg/l. Test solutions were inoculated with activated sludge and incubated under aerobic conditions for 28 days. Test temperature was 20± 1°C. The dissolved oxygen concentration was measured with a respirometer and the biodegradation of the substance was calculated from oxygen consumption. The test substance was found to be 94% degraded after 28 days. The 10-day window was met. Thus, the test substance is considered to be readily biodegradable.