Preliminary ecotoxicity assessment of selected flavour and fragrance compounds using Microtox assay

The bioluminescence inhibition bioassay using marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri is widely used as a tool to assess the toxicity of chemical compounds, because of the many benefits comprising cost and time effectiveness, rapidness, sensitivity, and ease of operation. In addition, the test is used for various types of organic and inorganic compounds. Due to the insolubility of organic compounds in water, a suitable solubilizer should be applied. The ecotoxicity of the solvent should be negligible in relation to marine bacteria. On account of superior human activities the synthesis of new chemical substances is inextricably linked to the emergence of chemical compounds that are a potential threat on environment. A Microtox system utilizing the 81.9% Basic Test with 14 dilutions was applied to pre-evaluate the ecotoxicity of beta-cyclocitral oxime, citronellal oxime and perillaldehyde oxime. Substances solutions with an initial concentration of 0.036% in DMSO were prepared. The preliminary results show that the studied scent compounds are characterized by quite high toxicity. In order to confirm the received ecotoxicity values, it is necessary to carry out additional surveys using another range of concentrations and biotests on organisms at each trophic level.