The food enzyme mucorpepsin (EC 3.4.23.23) is produced with the non-genetically modified Rhizomucor miehei strain DSM 29547 by Chr. Hansen. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism. It is intended to be used in dairy processing for cheese production. The dietary exposure to the food enzyme-total organic solids (TOS) was estimated to be up to 0.26 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 a repeated dose 90-day oral toxicity study in rats. The Panel identified a no observed adverse effect level of 618 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 2,400. A search for similarity of the amino acid sequence of the food enzyme to known allergens was made and three matches were found. The Panel considered that, under the intended conditions of use, the risk of allergic sensitisation and elicitation reactions by dietary exposure cannot be excluded but is considered low except for individuals sensitised to mustard proteins, but this risk will not exceed that of mustard consumption. 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.
Keywords: EC 3.4.23.23; Rhizomucor miehei; aspartic endopeptidase; food enzyme; microbial rennet; mucorpepsin.
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