Open AccessSafety of the proposed amendment of the specifications for steviol glycosides (E 960) as a food additive: Rebaudioside M produced via enzyme‐catalysed bioconversion of purified stevia leaf extract
Author(s) -
Younes Maged,
Aquilina Gabriele,
Engel KarlHeinz,
Fowler Paul,
Frutos Fernandez Maria Jose,
Fürst Peter,
Gürtler Rainer,
GundertRemy Ursula,
Husøy Trine,
Mennes Wim,
Moldeus Peter,
Oskarsson Agneta,
Shah Romina,
WaalkensBerendsen Ine,
Wölfle Detlef,
Degen Gisela,
Gott David,
Leblanc JeanCharles,
Herman Lieve,
Aguilera Jaime,
Giarola Alessandra,
Rincon Ana M,
Castle Laurence
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5867
Subject(s) - rebaudioside a , steviol , stevioside , bioconversion , glucosyltransferase , stevia , generally recognized as safe , enzyme , biochemistry , glycoside , stevia rebaudiana , chemistry , food science , fermentation , stereochemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Abstract The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings ( FAF ) provides a scientific opinion on the safety of the proposed amendment of the specifications for steviol glycosides (E 960) as a food additive, in particular related to rebaudioside M produced via enzyme‐catalysed bioconversion of purified stevia leaf extract. Rebaudioside M (95% on dry basis) is produced via enzymatic bioconversion of purified stevia leaf extract using uridine diphosphate ( UDP )‐glucosyltransferase and sucrose synthase enzymes produced by the genetically modified yeasts K. phaffii UGT ‐a and K. phaffii UGT ‐b, that facilitates the transfer of glucose to purified stevia leaf extract via glycosidic bonds. The Panel considered that the parental strain K. phaffii ATCC 20864 qualifies for the qualified presumption of safety ( QPS ) approach for safety assessment and, therefore, is considered to be safe for production purposes. The Panel concluded that there is no safety concern for Rebaudioside M produced via enzymatic bioconversion of purified stevia leaf extract using UDP ‐glucosyltransferase and sucrose synthase enzymes produced by the genetically modified yeasts K. phaffii UGT ‐a and K. phaffii UGT ‐b, to be used as a food additive. However, the Panel recommended that the European Commission considers establishing separate specifications for Rebaudioside M produced via enzymatic bioconversion of purified stevia leaf extract in Commission Regulation ( EU ) No 231/2012.