Safety and efficacy of l‐arginine produced by fermentation with Escherichia coli NITE BP‐02186 for all animal species

• Main Authors: EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Guido Rychen, Gabriele Aquilina, Giovanna Azimonti, Vasileios Bampidis, Maria de Lourdes Bastos, Georges Bories, Andrew Chesson, Pier Sandro Cocconcelli, Gerhard Flachowsky, Jürgen Gropp, Boris Kolar, Maryline Kouba, Marta López‐Alonso, Secundino López Puente, Alberto Mantovani, Baltasar Mayo, Fernando Ramos, Maria Saarela, Roberto Edoardo Villa, Pieter Wester, Lucio Costa, Noël Dierick, Boet Glandorf, Lieve Herman, Sirpa Kärenlampi, Lubomir Leng, Jaime Aguilera, Jordi Tarrés‐Call, Robert John Wallace
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2018-05-01
• Series: EFSA Journal
• Subjects: l‐arginine; nutritional additive; amino acid; Escherichia coli; safety; efficacy
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5276

Abstract l‐Arginine is considered as a non‐essential amino acid for most adult mammalian species, but it is classified as essential for birds, fish, possibly reptiles and also for strict carnivores. l‐Arginine produced by fermentation with Escherichia coli NITE BP‐02186, genetically modified to enhance the production of l‐arginine, is intended to be used in feed and water for drinking for all animal species and categories. The product under assessment does not give rise to any safety concern with regard to the genetic modification of the production strain. Its use as a nutritional additive is safe for target species when supplemented to diets in appropriate amounts. The use of l‐arginine as a feed flavouring agent is unlikely to pose any concern. No risks are expected for the consumer from the use of the product under assessment as a feed additive. It is not irritant to skin or eyes, nor a skin sensitiser. Although the presence of endotoxin activity is of no concern, the available exposure and toxicological data indicate that the additive may pose a risk to users by inhalation. The use of this additive in animal nutrition does not pose a risk to the environment. The additive is an effective source of arginine for all species. l‐Arginine is considered efficacious when used as a flavouring compound in animal nutrition.