Ready biodegradability of chemical materials in aerobic aqueous medium
OECD 301 (1992) test guideline presents six methods (i.e., A-F) that permit the screening of chemicals for ready biodegradability in an aerobic aqueous medium. Method 301 C modified MITI test is based on measuring the oxygen uptake of inoculated microorganisms in well mixed suspension consisting of the test substance and mineral solution over a period of 28 days in a darkened, enclosed respirometer at 25 ± 1 oC. Biodegradation is expressed as the percentage oxygen uptake (corrected for blank uptake) of the theoretical uptake. Method 301 F refers to manometric respirometry test. The consumption of oxygen is determined either by measuring the quantity of oxygen required to maintain constant gas volume in the respirometer flask, or from the change in volume or pressure in the apparatus.
BPC Blue can be easily coupled with our patented in-situ carbon dioxide absorption kit to function as a fully automated closed-respirometer for continuous and on-line measurement of oxygen consumption or depletion caused by aerobic respiration of microorganisms. The apparatus is suitable for all test protocols which the measurement principle can be based on oxygen demand or uptake measurement. It offers reliable solution for directly measuring the quantity of oxygen required to maintain a constant headspace gas volume in the test vial.
Read more about OECD Test No. 301 at oecd-ilibrary.org