Ecotoxicity of Tetradecanoic Acid, 2-sulfo-, 1-methylester, Sodium Salt (C14MES)

Abstract

This paper reports the ecotoxicological study of "tetradecanoic acid, 2-sulfo-, 1methylester, sodium salt (C14MES)". This salt was synthesized by sulfonating 1-methyl tetradecanoic acid derived from palm oil and coconut oil with sulfur trioxide. The tests were attempted in accordance with the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals. The 72 h ErC 50 exceeded 100 mg/L in the alga growth inhibition test. In the daphnia acute immobilization and reproduction tests, 17.2 mg/L of 48 h EC 50 and 4.10 mg/L of NOEC were derived, respectively. These ecotoxicities of C14MES were equivalent to or lower than that of other similar anionic surfactants, such as LAS (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate) or AOS (alpha olefin sulfonate).

Aquatic Risk Assessment of 2-Sulfonato Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Sodium Salt (MES)

“…In Japan, 2-sulfonato fatty acid methyl ester sodium salt (MES) has been used as one of the main surfactants in heavy-duty household granular detergents 1) . The eco-toxicological effects 2) and the biodegradability [3][4][5] of MES were reported previously. MES is readily and fully biodegradable under aerobic conditions; therefore, it can be removed efficiently by biological wastewater treatment systems such as activated sludge [3][4][5] .…”

“…The environmental hazards are determined by a toxicological assay for three trophical levels of aquatic organisms-algae, invertebrates, and fish. Then, the effects on alga growth inhibition, daphnia acute immobilization and reproduction and fish acute toxicity of MES were reported earlier 2) .These assay parameters were served as the evaluative criteria for ecotoxicity in the initial data set of the Law Concerning Examination and Regulation of Manufacture, etc. of Chemical Substances (Chemical Substances Control Law, Japan).…”

“…Results of the algae growth inhibition test, daphnia acute immobilization test, daphnia reproduction test, and fish acute toxicity test have been reported 2) and summarized in . Based on the available toxicity data, daphnia are considered to be most sensitive to MES.…”

In vitro Analysis of the Effect of Alkyl-Chain Length of Anionic Surfactants on the Skin by Using a Reconstructed Human Epidermal Model

“…MES, in particular, has a sulfonyl group in the alpha position and has attracted considerable attention as a sustainable material that can be obtained from plants, such as palm oil. Therefore, many studies have been performed to assess the physicochemical properties 8 12 , applicability in heavy-duty surfactants 13,14 , and environmental toxicity 15,16 of MES. Here, we evaluated the effects of the alkyl-chain length of the anionic surfactants, AS and MES, on cytotoxicity and epidermal permeability using a LabCyte EPI-MODEL24.…”