Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 203-835-0 | CAS number: 111-11-5
Toxicity to microorganisms
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
Description of key information
NOEC (3 h) ≥ 1000 mg/L (nominal)(OECD 209, activated sludge)
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Additional information
No data evaluating the toxicity of methyl octanoate (CAS No. 111-11-5) to aquatic microorganisms are available.
Therefore, data from a structurally related category member, methyl laurate (CAS No. 111-82-0) are used as read-across in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, Annex XI, 1.5. Methyl octanoate and methyl laurate are fatty esters esterified with methanol, differing only in the C-chain length of the fatty acid component: C8 (CAS No. 111-11-5) and C12 (CAS No. 111-82-0) respectively. Both substances are rather soluble in water (water solubility 64.4 and 7.7 mg/L for methyl octanoate and methyl laurate, respectively), and therefore exposure to activated sludge microorganisms is expected to be comparable. Methyl laurate (C12 FA content > 80%) exhibits the highest toxicity to aquatic organisms (Daphnia and algae) throughout the whole SCAE Me category, with EC50 and NOEC values < 1 mg/L.Considering that, methyl laurate is used as worst-case read across substance in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, Annex XI, 1.5.
The study evaluating the toxicity of methyl laurate to aquatic microorganisms (Fiebig, 2013) was conducted according to OECD Guideline 209, under GLP conditions. Activated sludge microorganisms from a municipal sewage treatment plant were exposed to the test substance for 3 hours at a concentration of 1000 mg/L (limit test). After the exposure period, no inhibiting effects of the substance on microorganisms activity were reported, leading to a NOEC (3 h) ≥ 1000 mg/L (nominal concentration).
In addition, methyl octanoate (CAS No. 111-11-5) is readily biodegradable (78% biodegradation in 28 days). According to Chapter R7.b of the Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment (ECHA, 2008), for substances with a good biodegradation rate in a ready biodegradation test, inhibitory effects to aquatic microorganisms are not expected and the concentration tested (100 mg/L based on COD) can be used as a NOEC.
The lack of toxicity observed for methyl laurate (showing the highest aquatic toxicity within the category) confirms that the members of the SCAE Me category are not expected to show toxicity to aquatic microorganisms. This statement is supported by the readily biodegradable nature of these substances.
Based on the ready biodegradability of the substance and the results of the respiration inhibition test conducted with a structurally related category member (in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, Annex XI, 1.5), no toxicity to aquatic microorganisms is expected for methyl octanoate (CAS No. 111-11-5).
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