Chemical Profiling of Volatile and Non-Volatile Fractions of Galbanum (Ferula galbaniflua Boiss.) Used in Perfumery.

Galbanum (Ferula galbaniflua Boiss.) is a valuable fragrance ingredient used in fine perfumery for its green, woody, balsamic, bell pepper, and foliage notes. The objective of the study was to identify and quantify the main compounds of this resinoid extract to gain a better knowledge of its chemical composition to support further ecotoxicology studies.

Aquatic Toxicity Calculation of Mixtures: A Chemical Activity Approach Incorporating a Bioavailability Reduction Concept.

A calculation estimating the effect concentration (EL/LL50) of a water-accommodated fraction (WAF) for mixture toxicity is proposed. The method is based on chemical activity where the activity of a molecule is its effective concentration taking into account intermolecular interactions. First, the thermodynamic influence of each constituent on the solubility of the others within the mixture (i.

Limitations and uncertainties of acute fish toxicity assessments can be reduced using alternative methods.

Information about acute fish toxicity is routinely required in many jurisdictions for environmental risk assessment of chem­icals. This information is typically obtained using a 96-hour juvenile fish test for lethality according to OECD test guideline (TG) 203 or equivalent regional guidelines. However, TG 203 has never been validated using the criteria currently required for new test methods including alternative methods.

How in silico and QSAR approaches can increase confidence in environmental hazard and risk assessment.

In silico methods are typically underrated in the current risk assessment paradigm, as evidenced by the recent document from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on animal alternatives, in which quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) were practically used only as a last resort. Their primary use is still to provide supporting evidence for read-across strategies or to add credence to experimental results of unknown or limited validity (old studies, studies without good laboratory practices [GLPs], limited information reported, etc.) in hazard assessment, but under the pressure of increasing burdens of testing, industry and regulators alike are at last warming to them.