Tristearin

Lipids -> Unambiguous Lipids

Lipids -> Glycerolipids [GL] -> Triradylglycerols [GL03] -> Triacylglycerols [GL0301]

Plastics -> N.a.

Plastics -> Other functions -> Processing agent

Cosmetic ingredients (Tristearin) -> CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review)

Solvent; Skin conditioning; Emollient; Refatting; Viscosity controlling

White powder

Colorless crystals or powder

Insoluble in water. Soluble in chloroform, carbon disulfide

Insoluble in ethanol; very soluble in acetone, benzene

Soluble in hot alcohol; almost insoluble in cold alcohol, ether, petroleum ether

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 100% (198 of 198) of all reports.

Not Classified

Aggregated GHS information provided per 198 reports by companies from 1 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.

Chemical: Octadecanoic acid, 1,2,3-propanetriyl ester

Octadecanoic acid, 1,1',1''-(1,2,3-propanetriyl) ester is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of Octadecanoic acid, 1,1',1''-(1,2,3-propanetriyl) ester are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Status: Active Update: 24-03-2018 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/12757

Glycerol tristearate: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1X10+10(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that tristearin is expected to be immobile in soil(SRC). Volatilization of tristearin from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.4X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). However, volatilization from moist soil surfaces is expected to be attenuated by adsorption to suspended solids and sediment in the water column. Tristearin is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 5.5X10-17 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(4). Tristearin has been shown to biodegrade 24% within 5 days in activated sludge(5), indicating that biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process in soil(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1X10+10 (SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that tristearin is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.4X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). Estimated volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 5.2 hours and 13 days, respectively. However, volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be attenuated by adsorption to suspended solids and sediment in the water column. The estimated volatilization half-life from a model pond is 4.8X10+5 years if adsorption is considered(5). A base-catalyzed second-order hydrolysis rate constant of 0.15 L/mole-sec(SRC) was estimated using a structure estimation method(6); this corresponds to half-lives of 1.5years and 55 days at pH values of 7 and 8, respectively(6). According to a classification scheme(7), a BCF in fish of <10(8), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Tristearin has been shown to biodegrade 24% within 5 days in activated sludge(8), indicating that biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process in water(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), tristearin, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 5.4X10-17 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2),is expected to exist solely in the particulate phase in the ambient atmosphere. Particulate-phase tristearin may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition(SRC). 14C-labeled tristearin was degraded (9.9%) after being subject to light at 290 nm for 17 hours(3), indicating the potential for direct photolysis(SRC).

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc for tristearin can be estimated to be 1X10+10(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that tristearin is expected to be immobile in soil.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ The skin irritation and sensitization potential of an eye defining pencil containing 1.68%Tristearin was evaluated in a 6-week study using 160 subjects (mainly females). Seven subjects withdrew from the study for reasons unrelated to administration of the test substance, reducing the test population to 153 subjects. The repeated-insult patch test (RIPT) protocol used was a modification of the Draize-Shelanski RIPT procedure. The undiluted test substance was applied liberally (under occlusive patches) to the scapular back three times per week for a total of nine applications. After a 2-week non-treatment period, two consecutive occlusive challenge patches containing the test substance were applied to a different site on the scapular back. Reactions were not observed in any of the subjects during the induction or challenge phase. It was concluded that the eye defining pencil did not induce irritant contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ ... Tristearin at 1.68%, in commercial products were also negative in repeated-insult patch tests. Tristearin at 0.32% in a commercial product induced transient, mild to moderate, ocular irritation after instillation into the eyes of human subjects

Tristearin's production and use in soap, candles, adhesive paste, metal polish, water proofing, textile sizes and leather stuffing(1) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC). Tristearin is present in many animal and vegetable fats including cacao oil, butter, and tallow(2).

A BCF of <10 was measured in fish(1). According to a classification scheme(2) this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC), provided the compound is not altered physically or chemically once released into the environment(SRP).

The Henry's Law constant for tristearin is estimated as 1.4X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that tristearin is expected to volatilize from water surfaces(2). Based on this Henry's Law constant, the volatilization half-life from a model river (1 m deep, flowing 1 m/sec, wind velocity of 3 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 5.2 hours(SRC). The volatilization half-life from a model lake (1 m deep, flowing 0.05 m/sec, wind velocity of 0.5 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 13 days(SRC). However, volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be attenuated by adsorption to suspended solids and sediment in the water column. The estimated volatilization half-life from a model pond is 4.8X10+5 years if adsorption is considered(3). Tristearin's Henry's Law constant indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces may occur(SRC), however when soil adsorption is considered volatilization from moist soil surfaces seems unlikely. Tristearin is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 5.4X10-17 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(4).

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ The acute oral toxicity of Tristearin was evaluated using ten Sprague-Dawley rats (males and females; weights =150 to 300 g). None of the animals died during the 14-day period after dosing. The LD50 was >20.0 g/kg. At necropsy, none of the animals had gross lesions.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ The short-term oral toxicity of ... tristearin, and triolein was evaluated using four groups of ten weanling rats, respectively. Each glyceryl ester was administered orally at a concentration of 25% in the diet for a period of 10 weeks. Equal gains in body weight were reported for all groups tested. No lesions were found at necropsy or microscopic examinations that were attributable to administration of test diets.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ Five weanling albino rats were fed 5% Tristearin in the diet daily for 37 days. Another group of five rats was fed a control diet (no tristearin). The animals ranged in weight from 62 to 66 g. Growth rates for the two groups were identical. At necropsy, no abnormalities were found that were related to the administration of tristearin. No significant differences in organ weight were found between the two groups.

/GENOTOXICITY/ The mutagenicity of ... triolein, and tristearin was evaluated using S. typhimurium strains TA1535, TA100, TA1537, TA1538, and TA98, with and without metabolic activation... At a test concentration of 4 mg per plate, ... tristearin (in DMSO) were not mutagenic, with or without metabolic activation, in any of the strains tested. The same was true for Triolein at a test concentration of 1 mg per plate. The test concentrations of 1 mg/plate and 4mg/plate represented the greatest doses tested due to limits of solubility, which did not allow testing at concentrations great enough to cause lethality. Based on the results of this test, triolein, and tristearin were not mutagenic.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for TRISTEARIN (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

A base-catalyzed second-order hydrolysis rate constant of 0.15 L/mole-sec(SRC) was estimated using a structure estimation method(1); this corresponds to half-lives of 1.5 years and 55 days at pH values of 7 and 8, respectively(1). 14C labeled tristearin was degraded 9.9% after being subject to light at 290 nm for 17 hours(2). This shows some degradation may occur by UV light despite the lack of chromophores that absorb in that range(SRC).

Occupational exposure to tristearin may occur through inhalation of dust and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where tristearin is produced or used. The general population may be exposed to tristearin via dermal contact with consumer products containing this compound. (SRC)

In the small intestine, most triglycerides are split into monoglycerides, free fatty acids, and glycerol, which are absorbed by the intestinal mucosa. Within the epithelial cells, resynthesized triglycerides collect into globules along with cholesterol and phospholipids and are encased in a protein coat as chylomicrons . Chylomicrons are transported in the lymph to the thoracic duct and eventually to the venous system. The chylomicrons are removed from the blood as they pass through the capillaries of adipose tissue. Fat is stored in adipose cells until it is transported to other tissues as free fatty acids which are used for cellular energy or incorporated into cell membranes.

When 14C-labeled long-chain triglycerides are administered intravenously, 25% to 30% of the radiolabel is found in the liver within 30 to 60 minutes, with less than 5% remaining after 24 hours. Lesser amounts of radiolabel are found in the spleen and lungs. After 24 hours, nearly 50% of the radiolabel has been expired in carbon dioxide, with 1% of the carbon label remaining in the brown fat. The concentration of radioactivity in the epididymal fat is less than half that of the brown fat.

The absorption of [1- 14C]tristearin was evaluated using groups consisting of six to seven male Wistar rats (weights =200 to 250 g). The rats were prepared either with an external bile fistula or a sham operation (control group), and then allowed to recover for 6 to 12 hours. Weighed doses of [1- 14C]tristearin were fed in a pellet of bran. Doses of 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg were administered to four groups, respectively. The rats were killed after 16 hours and lipid from the stomach, small gut, and colon (with feces) was extracted. Absorption was expressed as the percentage of the dose that had left the stomach. Only rats in which 80% or more of the dose had left the stomach were used. Tristearin absorption was classified as poor at all administered doses. Significantly lower absorption of tristearin was noted only in the 200 mg dose group ( p <.02, n=6)

Feeding expt with (14)C-labelled tristearin indicated that ruminal bacteria actively hydrogenated, degraded, and synthesized fatty acids. Stearic acid seemed to be absorbed from small intestine at slower rate than other fatty acids.

CIR ingredient: Tristearin

Found in various animal and vegetable fats; [Merck Index] Used in textile sizes, candles, soaps, adhesive pastes, and metal polishes; Also used for water-proofing paper, for leather stuffing, as a food additive (crystallization accelerator in chocolate), and as a lubricant in cosmetics; [HSDB]

Pulp and Paper Processing [Category: Industry]

In textile sizes. Formerly in making candles.

Soap; candies; adhesive pastes; metal polishes; water-proofing paper; leather stuffing; manufacture of stearic acid.

Food additive (crystallization accelerator in chocolate).

(1979) No Data

(1981) No Data

(1979) No Data

(1981) No Data

2023: 75,000 - <500,000 lb

(1979) NOT PRODUCED COMMERCIALLY IN U.S.

(1981) NOT PRODUCED COMMERCIALLY IN U.S.

Prepared from stearic acid and glycerol in the prresence of Al2O3.

Reaction of stearic acid with glycerol; separation from solid fats, eg, tallow, as solid phase by expression under controlled conditions.

EPA Safer Chemical Functional Use Classes -> Solvents

Safer Chemical Classes -> Green circle - The chemical has been verified to be of low concern

Plastics -> Polymer Type -> N.a.

Cosmetics -> Solvent; Skin conditioning; Emollient; Refatting; Viscosity controlling

Plastics -> Other functions -> Processing agent

Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing

Octadecanoic acid, 1,1',1''-(1,2,3-propanetriyl) ester: ACTIVE