title: Acute embryo toxicity and teratogenicity of three potential biofuels also used as flavor or solvent.
abstract: The demand for biofuels increases due to concerns regarding greenhouse gas emissions and depletion of fossil oil reserves. Many substances identified as potential biofuels are solvents or already used as flavors or fragrances. Although humans and the environment may be readily exposed little is known regarding their (eco)toxicological effects. In this study, the three potential biofuels ethyl levulinate (EL), 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) and 2-methylfuran (2-MF) were investigated for their acute embryo toxicity and teratogenicity using the fish embryo toxicity (FET) test to identify unknown hazard potentials and to allow focusing further research on substances with low toxic potentials. In addition, two fossil fuels (diesel and gasoline) and an established biofuel (rapeseed oil methyl ester) were investigated as references. The FET test is widely accepted and used in (eco)toxicology. It was performed using the zebrafish Danio rerio, a model organism useful for the prediction of human teratogenicity. Testing revealed a higher acute toxicity for EL (LC50: 83mg/L) compared to 2-MTHF (LC50: 2980mg/L), 2-MF (LC50: 405mg/L) and water accommodated fractions of the reference fuels including gasoline (LC50: 244mg DOC/L). In addition, EL caused a statistically significant effect on head development resulting in elevated head lengths in zebrafish embryos. Results for EL reduce its likelihood of use as a biofuel since other substances with a lower toxic potential are available. The FET test applied at an early stage of development might be a useful tool to avoid further time and money requiring steps regarding research on unfavorable biofuels.
authors.affiliation: RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bluhm
authors.affiliation: RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas-Benjamin
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.affiliation: RWTH Aachen University, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik - Enzyme Process Technology, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Nico
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Anders
authors.affiliation: RWTH Aachen University, Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klankermayer
authors.affiliation: RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Chongqing University, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Chongqing 400715, China; Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing 210093, China.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schaeffer
authors.affiliation: RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Chongqing University, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Chongqing 400715, China; Nanjing University, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing 210093, China; Tongji University, College of Environmental Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shanghai 200092, China. Electronic address: Henner.Hollert@bio5.rwth-aachen.de.
authors.forename: Henner
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hollert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056804:Biofuels / Q000633:toxicity*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects; D005663:Furans / Q000633:toxicity*; D007982:Levulinic Acids / Q000633:toxicity*; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005663:Furans; D007982:Levulinic Acids; D013723:Teratogens; C029060:2-methylfuran; C542586:ethyl levulinate; C550584:2-methyltetrahydrofuran
keywords: 2-Methylfuran; 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran; Ethyl levulinate; Fish embryo toxicity test; Fossil fuel; Green toxicology