Safety evaluation of the food enzyme cellulase from Trichoderma reesei (strain DP-Nzc36)

Abstract

The food enzyme cellulase (4-(1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.4) is produced with the genetically modified Trichoderma reesei strain DP-Nzc36 by Danisco US Inc. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and recombinant DNA. The food enzyme is intended to be used in distilled alcohol production, starch processing for the production of glucose syrups and brewing processes. Since residual amounts of the food enzyme are removed by distillation and starch processing, no dietary exposure was calculated for these food processes. Based on the maximum use levels recommended for brewing processes and individual data from the EFSA Comprehensive European Food Database, dietary exposure to the food enzyme-total organic solids (TOS) was estimated to be up to 0.131 mg TOS/kg body weight (bw) per day. Genotoxicity tests did not raise 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 at least 97.6 mg TOS/kg bw per day which, compared to the estimated dietary exposure, results in a margin of exposure of at least 745. Similarity of the amino acid sequence to those of known allergens was searched and no match was found. The Panel considered that, under the intended conditions of use, the risk of allergic sensitisation and elicitation reactions by dietary exposure can be excluded in distilled alcohol production and is considered to be low when the enzyme is used in starch processing and brewing processes. 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.