Ethyl Propionate

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Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious)]:

Immediate precautionary measure

26 [mg/m3]

290 [mg/m3]

1700 [mg/m3]

Results from the National Human Adipose Tissue Survey (NHATS) show that ethyl propionate was identified, not quantified, in 29 total adipose tissue samples, occurring in 4 samples from age group 0-14 yrs, 12 samples in age group 15-44, and 13 samples in age group 45 and older(1). Eleven samples from the US North Central region were positive, as were 4 from the Northeast, 12 from the South, and 2 from the West(1).

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 12(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that ethyl propionate is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of ethyl propionate from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.5X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), from its vapor pressure, 35.8 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 1.92X10+4 mg/l(3). The potential for volatilization of ethyl propionate from dry soil surfaces may exist(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 35.8 mm Hg(4). Biodegradation in soil is expected to be an important environmental fate process because of the presence of an easily biodegraded ester functional group(5).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 12(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that ethyl propionate is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.5X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), from its vapor pressure, 35.8 mm Hg(4), and water solubility, 19,200 mg/l(7). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 6 hrs and 5 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 1.7(SRC), from its log Kow of 1.21(6) and a regression-derived equation(9), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Biodegradation in water is expected to be an important environmental fate process because of the presence of an easily biodegraded ester functional group(8).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), ethyl propionate, which has a vapor pressure of 3.58X10+1 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase ethyl propionate is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 7 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 2.14X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3).

Ethyl propionate was detected at 0.20, 0.19, and 0.13 mg/100 ml in unprocessed, reverse osmosis processed, and water diluted whiskeys, respectively(1). The compound was also detected, not quantified, in headspace analyses of Sivetta variety strawberry samples held in a closed system(2). Ethyl propionate was one of the 27 volatile components identified, at a relative amount of 0.4%, in ripe Kiwi fruit from New Zealand and Australia(3). It is a volatile component of fresh grape fruit juice 0.0068 ppm(4), guava - 57.4 and 84.5 ug/kg in mature and overripe fruit, respectively(5). The compound was also identified as one of the 46 volatile components of both hand and mechanically extracted fresh orange juice from five different cultivars at a concn range of 0.0038 to 0.28 ppm(6). It has been identified not quantified in Concord grape essence(7) and as a volatile component of fresh, tree-ripened nectarines(8). Ethyl propionate was identified as a volatile in Italian-type dry-cured ham from a factory in Langhirano, Italy during processing at the following concns (day, condition, (mean concn in ng dodecane equiv)): 3, prior to salting, (0); 25, day dry salting, (0); 125, drying, (0); 211, first ripening, (1); 365, fully mature product (2); 485, post ripening, (3); not specified, spoiled sample, (41)(9).

Ethyl propionate was one of the volatile compounds identified, not quantified, from kitchen waste exudate and in stored food exudates in a study conducted in Denmark(1). It was also detected in the liquid and headspace exudate from garden waste(2). Ethyl propionate was identified, not quantified as a minor volatile from poultry manure(3).

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc for ethyl propionate can be estimated to be about 12(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that ethyl propionate is expected to have very high mobility in soil.

Ethyl propionate (CAS # 105-37-3) was evaluated for acute oral toxicity in male and female groups of 2, 5, 5, and 5 fasted rats receiving single peroral (manner unspecified) doses of 4.0, 8.0, 11.3, and 16.0 mg/kg bodyweight, respectively. The data for female rats were not provided. In male rats, treatment was associated with sluggishness, prostration, and mortality at approximately 15 minutes to 3 hours post-dosing. A solitary male died after 1 day. Only males of the 2 highest dose levels succumbed or demonstrated recorded toxic effects throughout 14-day observation. An acute oral LD50 for male rats was 10.8 mL/kg bodyweight; a female LD50 was 9.8 mL/kg. The survivors recovered fully within 1 to 2 days. Upon necropsy, apparent treatment-related pathology among male rats was limited to the study decedents; gross lesions included dark red and mottled lungs, white to grey stomachs, liquid-filled stomachs and intestines, red or white intestine, and spotty white to grey or red kidneys.

Ethyl propionate (CAS # 105-37-3) was evaluated for acute dermal toxicity in rabbits (5/sex/group; strain unspecified), administered single undiluted percutaneous applications of 16 mL/kg bodyweight for 24 hours. Treatment was associated with death of a solitary female at 11 days post-treatment. Local reactions were characterized by erythema, edema, ecchymosis, necrosis, desquamation, fissuring, ulceration, alopecia, and scabbing. The female succumbing was emaciated at death; however, no signs of systemic toxicity were observed in the survivors (9/10) of 14-day post-treatment observation. Upon necropsy, the decedent female also exhibited bright red lungs. No gross lesions were identified in study survivors. Procedural appendices were not included with this submission and no further information regarding method or results was provided.

Ethyl propionate (CAS # 105-37-3) was evaluated for acute inhalation toxicity in rats (5/sex/group) exposed under static conditions to a substantially saturated vapor for terms of 11.2, 22.5, and 45 minutes. Four of 5 males and 5/5 females died during 45-minute exposures, the treatment-related mortality consistent with LT50's (with 95% confidence limits) of 35 (26-47) and 32 (23-44) minutes, respectively. Clinical signs of toxicity, observed both during and after the exposures, included labored breathing, wetness of periocular and perioral fur, hypoactivity, lacrimation, slowed breathing, ataxia, slow or negative surface righting reflex, and negative toe and tail pinch reflex. The survivors of all exposure levels recovered within 1 day post-exposure. Following 14-day observation, terminal necropsy of these animals revealed no gross lesions attributable to treatment. Conversely, red lungs, wetness or red discharge of perinasal and/or perioral fur, gas-filled stomachs, and liquid-filled trachea were observed among the study lethalities. Procedural appendices were not included with this submission and no further information regarding method or results was provided.

REPORTED FOUND IN SEVERAL TYPES OF WINE, IN WHITE GRAPE VAR SAUVIGNON AND IN COCOA.

Ethyl propionate is a common volatile found in certain fresh strawberries, citrus fruits and juices(1-7). It may also be formed during the growth of molds from damp buildings(1).

An estimated BCF of 1.7 was calculated for ethyl propionate(SRC), using a log Kow of 1.21(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low.