Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of l-arginine produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80387 for all animal species (CJ Europe GmbH)

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of l-arginine produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80387 as a nutritional feed additive for all animal species (category: nutritional additive; functional group: amino acids, their salts and analogues; and category: sensory additives; functional group: flavouring compounds). The production strain C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 is a genetically modified strain and raises no safety concerns. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive does not pose any safety concern with regard to the production strain. The use of l-arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 in feed as nutritional additive or as flavouring compound is safe for the target species. The FEEDAP Panel has concerns on the use of l-arginine in water for drinking. The use of l-arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 in animal nutrition is considered safe for the consumers and for the environment. As regards the safety for the user, l-arginine produced with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 is not irritant to skin, and not a dermal sensitiser but is irritant to the eyes and respiratory tract. The additive l-arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 is regarded as an efficacious source of the essential amino acid l-arginine for non-ruminant nutrition. For the supplemental l-arginine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminant species, it requires protection against degradation in the rumen. l-Arginine is also considered efficacious when used as a flavouring compound in animal nutrition.