Toxicity of organic solvents to fatty acid forming bacteria

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Abstract
The inhibition of fatty acid formation in the anaerobic digestion of synthetic swine manure by several solvents has been studied. The solvents tested were commonly used for the recovery of acetic acid from dilute aqueous solutions. Negligible inhibition was observed with kerosene and tri‐octyl phosphine oxide. The latter compound was added as a carrier to increase the solubility of fatty acids in the organic phase. The most toxic solvent tested was di‐isopropyl ether with Aliquat 336 added as a carrier. The use of published oralLD50values for rats was found to provide a qualitative estimate of the bacterial inhibition by a solvent when divided by the water solubility of the solvent.