Tmm. Coenen et al., SAFETY EVALUATION OF BETA-GLUCANASE DERIVED FROM TRICHODERMA-REESEI -SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGICAL DATA, Food and chemical toxicology, 33(10), 1995, pp. 859-866
Barlican, a beta-glucanase enzyme obtained from Trichoderma reesei, wa
s produced by a fermentation process and subjected to a series of toxi
cological tests to document its safety for use as a feed additive. The
enzyme product was examined for general oral toxicity, inhalation tox
icity, irritation to eye and skin, skin sensitization and mutagenic po
tential. An extensive literature search on the production organism was
also conducted. Furthermore, safety for target species was assessed i
n a 28-day oral toxicity study with broilers. A strong skin-sensitizin
g potential of the beta-glucanase enzyme was detected, but no other ev
idence of oral or inhalation toxicity, mutagenic potential, eye or ski
n irritancy was found. Feeding of the beta-glucanase enzyme at dietary
levels up to 10,000 ppm in the 90-day subchronic toxicity study in ra
ts did not induce noticeable signs of toxicity. In addition, no advers
e effects were observed when broiler chicks were fed dietary concentra
tions of the beta-glucanase enzyme up to eight times the daily recomme
nded dose. It is therefore concluded that this beta-glucanase preparat
ion is safe for use in feed of the intended target species. However, s
ome occupational health precautions should be taken to avoid skin cont
act and inhalation, as is the case for almost all enzyme proteins.