Star anise, Illicium verum, ext.

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

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 301 F (Ready Biodegradability: Manometric Respirometry Test)

Version / remarks:

adopted 17. Jul. 1992

Deviations:

not specified

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

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

Version / remarks:

adopted 30. May 2008

Deviations:

not specified

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Oxygen conditions:

aerobic

Inoculum or test system:

activated sludge, non-adapted

Details on inoculum:

Activated sludge from a biologic sewage treatment plant was used. The chosen plant is treating mostly household sewage. The sludge was taken from the activation basin of the sewage treatment plant, In den Seewiesen, 67435 Edenkoben.
Date of collection: 09. May 2018, batch no:20180509.
The sludge was filtrated, washed with medium 2x, and re-suspended in test medium. It was then aerated.
The dry matter was determined as 3880 mg suspended solids/L.

Duration of test (contact time):

28 d

Initial conc.:

37 mg/L

Based on:

ThOD

Parameter followed for biodegradation estimation:

O2 consumption

Reference substance:

benzoic acid, sodium salt

Key result

Parameter:

% degradation (O2 consumption)

Value:

62

Sampling time:

28 d

Details on results:

The 10-day-window began on day 1 (this is stated as lag phase), at its end (day 11), 57 % were reached, staying below the pass level of 60 % given in the OECD guideline.
The degradation phase is defined as interval between the end of the lag phase and the reaching of 90 %. This was reached on day 9.
The degradation phase was from day 1 – day 9 (54 %).

Validity criteria fulfilled:

yes

Interpretation of results:

readily biodegradable

Conclusions:

Because the test item is a mixture the 10-day-window does not have to be taken into ac-count. As degradation surpassed 60% in the course of the test, Essential oil of Star Anise Oil (Illicium verum) obtained from the leaves and fruits by steam distillation is considered as readily biodegradable.

Executive summary:

The test itemEssential oil of Star Anise Oil (Illicium verum) obtained from the leaves and fruits by steam distillationwas tested using a concentration of 37 mg test item/L (equivalent to a theoretical oxygen demand of 99.99 mg O₂/L). Activated sludge was used as inoculum. The test was left running for 28 days.

 

All validity criteria were met. The positive control reached the pass level of 61% on day 3 (criterion:<=14).

 

The following data could be determined for the test itemEssential oil of Star Anise Oil (Illicium verum) obtained from the leaves and fruits by steam distillation:

 

10-day-window: day 1 – 11

Degradation phase: day 1 - 9

degradation at the end of 10-day-window: 57 %

degradation at the end of the test: 62 %

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Biodegradation in water:

readily biodegradable

Type of water:

freshwater