OECD biodegradation tests

There have been numerous communications on the subject of biodegradation test methods, including aerobic compost (30), anaerobic bioreactor (31), general methodology and future directions (32—34), and a fine review article (24). ASTM (22) and MITI (35) have also set forth standard testing protocols for plastics, as shown in Table 2, whereas OECD test methods (29) are more suited to water-soluble polymers. 

Further examinations have been done in the biodegradation ecotoxicity sequence rest (BEST). In this test a realistic diluted effluent of the modified OECD confirmatory test (DIN 38412, part 26) is tested continually on daphnia reproduction over three generations. It can be said that the effluents of an OECD confirmatory plant (feed 10 mg/L LAS), containing nondegraded surfactants and catabolites, have no negative effect on the juvenile and adult daphnia even in the third generation and do not influence their reproduction [296]. 

The primary biodegradation grades of secondary alkanesulfonates measured by different tests are distinctly above 90%. In the OECD Confirmatory Test (sewage treatment plant simulation test), the biodegradability is 99% (decrease in MBAS, the methylene blue active substance). 

In the modified OECD Screening Test (OECD 301E), which indicates complete degradation or elimination according to the German Chemical Substances Control Act, alkanesulfonates are biodegradable to 95% (decrease in DOC, the dissolved organic carbon). 

The biodegradation of branched-chain alkanol ethoxyethylates was carried out by the standard OECD confirmatory tests and the metabolites fractionated after solid-phase extraction. The structures of the metabolites were determined by electrospray mass spectrometry and this made it possible to derive a scheme for the partial degradation of the compounds (Di Corcia et al. 1998). 

Reuschenbach, P. Pagga, U. Strotmann, U. A critical comparison of respirometric biodegradation tests based on OECD 301 and related test methods. Water Res. 2003, 37, 1571-1582. 

Waggy GT, Conway RA, Hansen JL, et al. 1994. Comparison of 20-d BOD and OECD closed-bottle biodegradation tests. Environ Toxieol Chem 13 1277-1280. 

Biodegradable in sea water (52 and 73% in OECD 306 tests) 68% TC02 in aerobic river water-sediment test [57]... 

Biodegradation Test Guidelines (Boethling et al., 1993 Cowan et al., 1996 OECD, 1981)... 

Marcomini, A., and M. Zanette. 1996. Biodegradation mechanisms of aliphatic alcohol polyethoxy-lates (AE) under standardized aerobic conditions (modified OECD screening test 301E). Riv. Ital. Sost. Grasse 73, 213-218. 

RBPT test Ready biodegradability (or readily biodegradable) test is an arbitrary definition whereby compounds achieve a pass level in one of five named tests (OECD, Sturm, AFNOR, MITI or closed bottle, and rotating bomb oxidation test or RBOT. 

B iocompatibility Potability Biodegradation test OECD 30ID... 

The inherent biodegradability tests concerned are the Zahn Wellens test (OECD TG 302 B) and the MITIII test (OECD TG 302 C). The conditions for use in this regard are ... 

It is assumed that a positive result in one of the ready biodegradability tests demonstrates that the substance will degrade rapidly in the environment (OECD Test Guidelines). 

The OECD inherent biodegradation tests are very different in their approach and especially,... 

Interpretation of test results on biodegradability of organic substances has been considered in the OECD Detailed Review Paper on Biodegradability Testing (OECD, 1995). 

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