The aquatic effects of vanillin on the Environment

Vanillin is a phenolic aldehyde, which is an organic compound with the molecular formula C8H8O3. Its functional groups include aldehyde, ether, and phenol. It is the primary component of the extract of the vanilla bean. Synthetic vanillin, instead of natural vanilla extract, is sometimes used as a flavoring agent in foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.The cas no is 121-33-5.

Vanillin occurs widely in plants in the nature, usually as a glycoside bound to sugar or as a precursor to vanillin bound to the large lignin molecule abundant in wood. Free vanillin in the environment will be distributed to the aqueous compartment, and there is no tendency to bioaccumulation. The emission of vanillin from the vanillin production and from consumer products to the environment, is not considered to represent any biohazard.Now,this article will talk about the aquatic effects of vanillin on the Environment. I just talk about the effects for fish,Daphnia,Algae and Microorganisms.

1.Fish
The acute toxicity of vanillin to fish has been tested in Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas). The following LC50 values were observed for the following observation periods: 1 hr; 173 - 370 mg/l, 24 hr;100 - 131 mg/l, 48 hr; 68.3 - 123 mg/l, 72 hr; 57 - 123 mg/l and 96 hr; 57 - 123 mg/l. It was observed that fish stopped schooling, became hypoactive, swam at the surface and lost equilibrium prior todeath. There are no data available on the chronic toxicity to fish.
2.Daphnia
The acute toxicity to aquatic invertebrates has been tested in daphnia. After 24 hours exposure, the EC50 value was reported to be 180 mg/l. A 21 day reproduction study has been performed on daphnia, according to OECD 202 and GLP. After an exposure for 13 days to 100 mg/l, immobilisation occurred in all animals. The EC50 for immobilisation in the period 13 to 21 days exposure was estimated to 75 mg/l. The reproductive function was however more sensitive to vanillin, and after 21 days exposure the EC50 (reproduction) was 16 mg/l (24mg/l), NOEC 5.9 mg/l (10 mg/l) and LOEC 10 mg/l (18 mg/l) (nominal concentrations given in parentheses).
3.Algae
The toxicity of vanillin to algae was tested in a screening study in a variety of species. Only one concentration level (2 mg/l) was used. The green algae Scenedesmus obliquus and Chlorella variegata showed reduced growth after 3 days but no effect was observed after 7, 14 and 21 days exposure. When the diatoms Gomphonema parvulum and Nitzschia palea were tested for 2 mg/l of vanillin, the former showed no growth after 3 days exposure and reduced growth after 7, 14 and 21 days. The latter was unaffected after 3 days, but showed reduced growth after 7 days, however growth was normalised after 14 and 21 days. No effect was seen with the blue-green algae Cylinderospermum licheniforme and Microcystis aeruginosa. These results could indicate that green algae and diatoms are the most sensitive algae, but since this was a screening test using only one dose level, one should not attach too much importance to this finding. In another report, 50 % growth inhibition of Chlorella vulgaris was observed after 80 hr exposure to 152 mg/l. After 160 hr exposure to this concentration the growth inhibition was 30 %. No effects were observed at 15 mg/l and 1.5 mg/l.
4.Microorganisms
Another study tested the effect of vanillin on bacteria, yeast and blue-green algae in water. The effect of vanillin on anaerobic methane formation from sludge was measured, and 49 hr incubation with a concentration of 1,800 mg/l reduced the methane production with 50%. Photobacterium phosphoreum was however seen to be more sensitive to vanillin, and after 5 minutes incubation, an EC50 value of 58 mg/l was observed. Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) showed an EC50 value of 179 mg/l after 210 minutes incubation with vanillin.

To summarise the effects of vanillin to the aquatic environment, fish, bacteria and most algae seems moderately sensitive to vanillin. There are indications that some algae species are more sensitive to vanillin, and the reproductive function of daphnia was shown to be sensitive. A PNECaquatic based on the NOEC value (5.9 mg/l) found in the Daphnia reproduction test would give a value of 0.059 mg/l (onlyone long term NOEC, application factor=100). A PNEC value based on most sensitive EC50/LC50 value (LC50 fish = 57 mg/l) and an application factor of 1000 give a PNECaquatic of 0.057 mg/l. Photobacterium phosphorum being the most sensitive organism and using an application factor of 10 gives a PNECSTP of 5.8 mg/l.


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