Safety evaluation of the food enzyme α‐amylase from the non‐genetically modified Aspergillus sp. strain FUA

Abstract The food enzyme α‐amylase (4‐α‐d‐glucan glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.1) is produced with the non‐genetically modified Aspergillus sp. strain FUA by DSM Food Specialties B.V. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism. The food enzyme is intended to be used in four fo...

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Main Authors: EFSA Panel on Food Enzymes (FEZ), Holger Zorn, José Manuel Barat Baviera, Claudia Bolognesi, Francesco Catania, Gabriele Gadermaier, Ralf Greiner, Baltasar Mayo, Alicja Mortensen, Yrjö Henrik Roos, Marize L. M. Solano, Monika Sramkova, Henk Van Loveren, Laurence Vernis, Cristina Fernàndez‐Fraguas, Magdalena Andryszkiewicz, Natalia Kovalkovicova, Eleonora Marini, Yi Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:EFSA Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9167
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Summary:Abstract The food enzyme α‐amylase (4‐α‐d‐glucan glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.1) is produced with the non‐genetically modified Aspergillus sp. strain FUA by DSM Food Specialties B.V. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism. The food enzyme is intended to be used in four food manufacturing processes. Since residual amounts of food enzyme‐total organic solids (TOS) are removed in the production of distilled alcohol, dietary exposure was calculated only for the remaining three food manufacturing processes. It was estimated to be up to 0.687 mg TOS/kg body weight (bw) per day in European populations. Genotoxicity tests did not indicate a safety concern. The systemic toxicity was assessed by means of a repeated dose 90‐day oral toxicity study in rats. The Panel identified a no observed adverse effect level of 2000 mg TOS/kg bw per day, the highest dose tested, which when compared with the estimated dietary exposure, results in a margin of exposure of at least 2911. A search for the homology of the amino acid sequence of the food enzyme to known allergens was made and three matches with respiratory allergens were found, one of which is also an oral allergen. Known sources of allergens were used in the food enzyme manufacturing process. The Panel considered that the risk of allergic reactions upon dietary exposure cannot be excluded, but the likelihood is low. Based on the data provided, the Panel concluded that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns, under the intended conditions of use.
ISSN:1831-4732