Abstract
Values for the ultimate biodegradability of alkyl polyglycoside (APGs) were determined using three different microorganisms. Acute toxicity tests were performed on aquatic organisms in fresh and sea water.
The biodegradability of APG based on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was 7389 % and 74>99 %, respectively. High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) and gel permeation chromatographic (GPC) analyses indicated the disappearance of nearly all test substances. Branched alcohols and differences in alcohol chain length in the APG chemical structure are considered to be without effect on biodegradability. APGs were shown to rapidly and ultimately undergo biodegradation in an aquatic environment.
The 96 h LC50 values of APG were 96115 mg/L for fresh water red killifish (Oryzias latipes) , 50 mg/L for sea water adapted red killifish and 15 mg/L for mysid shrimp (Mysidopsis bahia) , indicating relatively weak toxicity among surfactants.
It follows from the present results that ecotoxicological risk of APGs is likely quite low and APGs may have good environmental compatibility in the aquatic ecosystem.
