Eugenol

Eugenol	Last updated: 16/01/2023
(Also known as: clove oil; essential clove oil; 5-allylguaiacol )

Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate	Human health Moderate alert: Mammals acute toxicity: Moderate; Possible Reproduction/development effects

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A natural plant extract which exhibits insecticidal, fungicidal and anti-bacterial activity. At high concentrations it can also be used as a herbicide.

Example pests controlled

Example applications

Efficacy & activity

Appearance and life cycle

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

Taxonomic classification

UK regulatory status

UK COPR regulatory status

Approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

30/11/2026

UK LERAP status

No UK approval for use

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

30/11/2023

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Listed in EU database

Yes

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece
			✓					✓
ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg
✓		✓		✓		✓
LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia
	✓			✓

Additional information

Known to be used in the following countries

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Eugenol is isomeric existing in the o- and p-forms however it is p-eugenol form (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) rather than o-eugenol (2-allyl-6-methoxyphenol) that is normally referred to as eugenol

Chemical formula

C₁₀H₁₂O₂

Canonical SMILES

COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)CC=C)O

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

RRAFCDWBNXTKKO-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C10H12O2/c1-3-4-8-5-6-9(11)10(7-8)12-2/h3,5-7,11H,1,4H2,2H3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Biopesticide type

Insecticide, Fungicide, Bactericide, Herbicide

Substance groups

Plant derived substance

Minimum active substance purity

990 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EU dossier - methyleugenol <0.05 g kg⁻¹

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Prohibits the growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Strong insect repellent

Substance source

Found in a wide range of plants including some laurel species (Lauraceae spp.)

Substance production

Manufactured for agricultural use

Uses

Crop protection; post-harvest protection; storage areas

Target pests

Aphids, armyworms, beetles, cutworms, mites, weevils, various flies of the Order Diptera, Botrytis

Target host

Top fruit, citrus, grapes

Farming system suitability

Suitable for use in organic farming and for IPM where approved for use in that country

CAS RN

97-53-0

EC number

202-589-1

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

102701

PubChem CID

CLP index number

No data found

Molecular mass

164.21

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol

CAS name

2-methoxy-4-(2-propen-1-yl)phenol

Other status information

Highly phytotoxic

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)

Not known

Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)

Not known

Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)

UNE

Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)

BM01

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Amber to light yellow liquid depending upon purity, with clove type odour

Related substances & organisms

clove oil

Formulations

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Example products

Bioxeda

Xeda International

Methyl Eugenol

Farma Tech International Corp

Mevalone3AEY

Eden Research plc

Formulation and application details

Available in a variety of formulations including emulsifiable concentrates, drenches and hot fogs

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

1.85

Low

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

>250000

Ethyl actetate

>250000

Methanol

>250000

Acetone

>250000

1,20dichloroethane

Melting point (°C)

-40

Boiling point (°C)

255

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

121

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

2.00 X 10⁰²

Calculated

Log P

2.30

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.06

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

10.0

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

12200

Highly volatile

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

0.24

Moderately volatile

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Acid pH 1.2: 201nm=37988, 222nm=6566, 281nm=2883
Neutral pH7.01: 200nm=39846, 226nm=6374, 281nm=2883
A;lkaline pH 11.6: 206nm=30461, 246nm=7816, 297nm=3780

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

41.2

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Stable

Note

Stable at pH 4-7 up to 50 °C; pH9 DT₅₀ 71.7 days at 25 °C

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d

K_oc

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f

K_foc

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Known soil metabolites

Metabolite

Major/Minor fraction

$Click here for further information on Major/Minor fraction$

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Notes

methyleugenol (Ref: Ent 21040)

Known groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1930

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 10000

Colinus virginianus as product

Low

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

> 5866 mg/Kg BW/day

Colinus virginianus as product

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1000

Low

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

> 200

as product

Low

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other pollinators (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other pollinators (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

5.6

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

1.9

Daphnia magna

Moderate

Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

15.4

Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Low

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Low (class I)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1930

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

2000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 2.58

Rat 4 hr

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ > 500 mg kg⁻¹

Mouse

Intravenous LD₅₀ = 72 mg kg⁻¹

Mouse

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

1.0

Rat SF=100

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

1.0

Rat SF=100

Dermal penetration studies (%)

100

default

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Acceptable for proposed uses

Occupational

Acceptable for proposed uses

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Rapidly excreted (<24rs) in urine

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Harmful if ingested
Possible skin sensitiser & may cause allergic contact dermatitis
Possible liver & kidney toxicant
IARC group 3 carcinogen

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Flammable
Not explosive or oxidising
IMDG Transport Code 9

CLP classification 2013

Health: H315, H319

WHO Classification

NL (Not listed)

UN Number

3082

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group III (minor danger)

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

eugenol

French

huile essentielle de clous de girofle; eugénol

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

2-metoksy-4-allilofenol

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Record last updated:	16/01/2023
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242