EFSA Journal (Feb 2024)

Safety evaluation of the food enzyme glutaminase from the non‐genetically modified Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain AE‐GT

  • EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP),
  • Vittorio Silano,
  • José Manuel Barat Baviera,
  • Claudia Bolognesi,
  • Pier Sandro Cocconcelli,
  • Riccardo Crebelli,
  • David Michael Gott,
  • Konrad Grob,
  • Claude Lambré,
  • Evgenia Lampi,
  • Marcel Mengelers,
  • Alicja Mortensen,
  • Gilles Rivière,
  • Inger‐Lise Steffensen,
  • Christina Tlustos,
  • Henk Van Loveren,
  • Laurence Vernis,
  • Holger Zorn,
  • Magdalena Andryszkiewicz,
  • Daniele Cavanna,
  • Yi Liu,
  • Simone Lunardi,
  • Elsa Nielsen,
  • Karin Norby,
  • Giulio diPiazza,
  • Yrjö Roos,
  • Andrew Chesson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8618
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 2
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

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Abstract The food enzyme glutaminase (l‐glutamine amidohydrolase; EC 3.5.1.2) is produced with the non‐genetically modified Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain AE‐GT by Amano Enzyme Inc. The production strain met the requirements for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach. The food enzyme is intended to be used in five food manufacturing processes. Dietary exposure to the food enzyme‐total organic solids (TOS) was estimated to be up to 0.462 mg TOS/kg body weight per day in European populations. Given the QPS status of the production strain and the absence of concerns resulting from the food enzyme's manufacturing process, toxicity tests were considered unnecessary by the Panel. A search for the similarity of the amino acid sequence of the food enzyme to known allergens was made and no match was found. The Panel considered that a 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.

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