PHOSPHOLIPASE A1 FROM FUSARIUM VENENATUM EXPRESSED IN ASPERGILLUS ORYZAE (addendum)

摘要

Phospholipase A1 (phosphatidylcholine 1 -acylhydrolase; EC 3.1.1.32) is an enzyme that acts specifically on the fatty acid in position 1 in phospholipid substrates, resulting in the formation of lysophospholipids and free fatty acids. The phospholipase A1 enzyme preparation under evaluation is produced by submerged fermentation of an Aspergillus oryzae production strain carrying a gene encoding phospholipase A1 from Fusarium venenatum. Its enzyme activity is expressed in lecitase units (LEU), and itis to be used in the dairy industry to produce modified phospholipids in milk used for the manufacture of cheese. This enzyme preparation was evaluated previously by the Committee at its sixty-fifth meeting (Annex 1, reference 178). The Committee at thatmeeting concluded that the information provided on phospholipase A1 was too limited to allow an assessment of its safety and that the results of two adequate studies of genotoxicity (including a test for chromosomal aberration in mammalian cells in vitro) and a study of toxicity in vivo would be needed. Alternatives to toxicity testing in vivo would be the demonstration that no unintended compounds are present in the enzyme preparation or better molecular characterization of the production strain. At its present meeting, the Committee evaluated new studies on the toxicity in vivo and genotoxicity of phospholipase A1 and re-evaluated the dietary exposure.