Hydrophobic modifications of hydroxyethyl cellulose polymers: Their influence on the acute toxicity to aquatic biota.

Abstract The hydrophobic substitution (HS) of cationic cellulose derivatives may be tuned, promoting their efficiency. This work studied the influence of HS on the acute ecotoxicity of quaternized hydroxyethyl cellulose polymers (SL) to aquatic biota. The ecotoxicity of four SL with different HS (SL-5, SL-30, SL-60, SL-100) was assessed for seven species: Vibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Chlorella vulgaris, Daphnia magna, Brachionus calyciflorus, Heterocypris incongruens, and Danio rerio. The computed median effective concentrations were used to derive hazard concentrations, by using species sensitive distribution curves. All SL suspensions were characterized for particle size, zeta potential and rheological properties. Results indicated instability of the SL in suspension due to their relatively low zeta potential. Raphidocelis subcapitata, C. vulgaris and B. calyciflorus were the most sensitive to the four SL, suggesting that exposure to these compounds may imbalance the lowest trophic levels. Also, HS influenced the toxicity of SL, with the lowest HS (SL-5) revealing lower ecotoxicity. The maximum acceptable concentrations were 14.0, 2.9, 3.9 and 1.4 mg L−1 for SL-5, SL-30, SL-60, and SL-100, respectively. Accordingly, SL-5 is suggested as the eco-friendliest and is recommended to be used in the production of care products, in detriment of the other three tested variants.