Safety evaluation of the food enzyme triacylglycerol lipase from the non-genetically modified Aspergillus luchuensis strain AE-L

The food enzyme triacylglycerol lipase (triacylglycerol acylhydrolase; EC 3.1.1.3) is produced with the non-genetically modified Aspergillus luchuensis strain AE-L by Amano Enzyme Inc. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism. The food enzyme is intended to be used in the manufacture of enzyme-modified dairy ingredients (EMDI). Dietary exposure to the food enzyme-total organic solids (TOS) was estimated to be up to 0.02 mg TOS/kg body weight (bw) per day in European populations. 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 1,726 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 86,300. A search for the similarity of the amino acid sequence of the food enzyme to those of known allergens was made and no match was found. The Panel considered that, under the intended conditions of use, the risk of allergic reactions by dietary exposure cannot be excluded, but the likelihood of such reactions 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.