Safety and efficacy of l‐threonine produced by fermentation with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80117 for all animal species

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on l‐threonine produced by fermentation with Corynebacterium glutamicum ■■■■■ when used as a nutritional additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species and categories. The product under assessment is l‐threonine produced by fermentation with a ■■■■■ strain of C. glutamicum (■■■■■). l‐Threonine produced by C. glutamicum ■■■■■ is considered safe for the target species when supplemented in appropriate amounts to the diet. The FEEDAP Panel has concerns on the safety of the simultaneous oral administration of l‐threonine via water for drinking and feed. l‐Threonine produced using C. glutamicum ■■■■■ is safe for the consumer. The additive is not a skin or eye irritant and is not a skin sensitiser. Although the workers can be exposed by inhalation, the results of an acute inhalation study showed that risk of adverse effects by inhalation is low. l‐Threonine produced using C. glutamicum ■■■■■ is safe for the environment. The product under assessment is considered an efficacious source of the amino acid l‐threonine for all animal species. For l‐threonine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non‐ruminant species, it requires protection against degradation in the rumen.

The Application of Corynebacterium glutamicum in l-Threonine Biosynthesis

“…Second, C. glutamicum contains few isoenzymes, which significantly simplifies the metabolic engineering design and biotechnology applications. C. glutamicum does not produce endotoxins, and its safety is widely recognized, making it a safe bacterium that meets food safety standards [7]. Furthermore, acetic acid, which is detrimental, does not accumulate in C. glutamicum, and the limited accumulation of the target amino acid can be promoted by decreasing the activity of the enzymes that degrade endogenous amino acids.…”