Toxicology and Biodegradability of a Phthalate-Free and Bio-Based Novel Plasticizer

Phthalate esters, mainly di-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), represent a class of chemicals primarily used as plasticizers for polyvinyl chloride in a wide range of domestic and industrial applications. These phthalate esters are low-toxicity environmental contaminants. To address these drawbacks, POLYSORB® ID 37, a blend of diesters obtained from esterification of isosorbide with plant-based fatty acids, was developed. The company can now offer PVC manufacturers a new product which competes with phthalates and other such chemicals. The market for plasticizers is very important, and ROQUETTE intends to provide a more sustainable and safer product. Isosorbide diester is bio-based (made from glucose and vegetable fatty acids). This plasticizer is registered in REACH regulation for high volumes (>1000 T/year). Risk assessment was obtained by conducting a wide range of biodegradability and toxicological protocols, using rodent models, according to established guidelines. Overall, all of the toxicological and biodegradability studies demonstrated that POLYSORB® ID 37 is nontoxic to mammalian life and is readily biodegradable.

Commonly Used Disposing Of Waste Pesticides

: The starting of DDT production during World War II signalized also the beginning of very rapid increase in pesticide use. Pesticides applied in the control of invertebrates are insecticides. On the other site, vertebrates are controlled by rodenticides killing rodents, avicides are applying to repel birds and piscicides are used in fish control. Herbicides are most important in agriculture by plants cultivation,fungicides are useful in killing fungi, bactericides are used against bacteria, slimicides against slime- cusing organisms in water and algicides against algae. Many pesticides which were used in agriculture last 30-40 years ago are no longer authorised and have been replaced by pesticides on non-chemical basis. Currently, the aim of the REACH Regulation in European Union is to provide better protection for humans and the environment from possible chemical risks and to promote sustainable development. The European Chemicals Agency established under this regulation and based in Helsinki, is responsible for managing the technical, scientific and administrative aspects of REACH, and for ensuring consistency in its application (www.europarl.europa.eu). In order to enhance the level of protection of human health and the environment, the same criteria for identifying, and labels for describing, chemical hazards should be used throughout the EU and the world (www.europarl.europa.eu). This contribution briefly refers about the pesticides classification and their most commonly used detoxification.

Depletion of Boric Acid and Cobalt from Cultivation Media: Impact on Recombinant Protein Production with Komagataella phaffii

The REACH regulation stands for “Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals” and defines certain substances as harmful to human health and the environment. This urges manufacturers to adapt production processes. Boric acid and cobalt dichloride represent such harmful ingredients, but are commonly used in yeast cultivation media. The yeast Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris) is an important host for heterologous protein production and compliance with the REACH regulation is desirable. Boric acid and cobalt dichloride are used as boron and cobalt sources, respectively. Boron and cobalt support growth and productivity and a number of cobalt-containing enzymes exist. Therefore, depletion of boric acid and cobalt dichloride could have various negative effects, but knowledge is currently scarce. Herein, we provide an insight into the impact of boric acid and cobalt depletion on recombinant protein production with K. phaffii and additionally show how different vessel materials affect cultivation media compositions through leaking elements. We found that boric acid could be substituted through boron leakiness from borosilicate glassware. Furthermore, depletion of boric acid and cobalt dichloride neither affected high cell density cultivation nor cell morphology and viability on methanol. However, final protein quality of three different industrially relevant enzymes was affected in various ways.

Integrierter Schutz vor gefährlichen Stoffen

Many environmental problems occurring in modern industrial society are caused by hazardous substances, in particular organic chemicals and heavy metals. They pollute the environmental media water, air and soil, change their material composition and can cause changes in the functioning of the human body and of ecosystems through their absorption. The causes for the arising environmental problems lie, on the one hand, in knowledge gaps regarding hazardous substances, their properties and effects, but on the other hand, also in legal deficiencies, such as ineffective regulatory concepts and incoherences between different regulatory areas. To this end, this work analyses whether and how the REACH Regulation affects sectoral environmental law – in the form of water and immission control legislation - and to what extent these regulatory areas ensure coherent and effective protection of man and the environment against hazardous substances.