Safety evaluation of the food enzyme endo-1,4-β-xylanase from the genetically modified Bacillus velezensis strain AR-112.

The food enzyme endo-1,4-β-xylanase (4-β-d-xylan xylanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.8) is produced with the genetically modified Bacillus velezensis strain AR-112 by AB Enzymes GmbH. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and its DNA. It is intended to be used in baking processes. Dietary exposure to the food enzyme-total organic solids (TOS) was estimated to be up to 0.024 mg TOS/kg body weight (bw) per day in European populations. As the production strain B. velezensis strain AR-112 meets the requirements for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment and no issue of concern arose from the production process, no toxicological data are required. 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, under the intended conditions of use, the 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.
Competing Interests: If you wish to access the declaration of interests of any expert contributing to an EFSA scientific assessment, please contact interestmanagement@efsa.europa.eu.
(© 2024 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.)