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. 2012 Jul 20;10(7):2790. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2790

Scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Ronozyme WX (endo‐1, 4‐beta‐xylanase) as a feed additive for poultry, piglets (weaned) and pigs for fattening

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP)
PMCID: PMC13093096  PMID: 42016071

Abstract

Ronozyme WX is a preparation of endo‐1, 4‐beta‐xylanase produced by a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus oryzae and is presented in two forms, coated (CT) and liquid (L). The solid and liquid forms of the additive are considered equivalent in terms of safety and efficacy at the same dose. The final enzyme preparations contain no cultivable production organisms or recombinant DNA, given the limits of detection and evidence for the presence of deoxyribonuclease activity. The use of Ronozyme WX is safe at the maximum proposed dose for chickens and turkeys for fattening and piglets. This conclusion allows extrapolation to all minor poultry species for fattening and can be extended to pigs for fattening. Ronozyme WX is not genotoxic and no adverse effects were reported in a 90‐day oral toxicity study. Therefore, the use of Ronozyme WX as a feed additive is not considered to pose a risk to consumers of animal products derived from animals treated with the additive. No studies of the additive that are relevant to user safety were carried out. However, the enzyme concentrate in Ronozyme WX was tested and was found not to be irritant to skin or eyes. In the absence of data, and given the nature of the product, it should be treated as a potential skin/respiratory sensitiser. The active ingredient of Ronozyme WX is a protein and as such will be degraded/inactivated during passage through the digestive tract of animals. Therefore, no risks to the environment are expected. The efficacy of Ronozyme WX has been demonstrated in chickens, turkeys and ducks for fattening at a minimum proposed dose of 100 FXU/kg complete feed. This conclusion can be extended to all minor poultry species for fattening. Efficacy has also been demonstrated in piglets and in pigs for fattening at a minimum dose of 200 FXU/kg complete feed.

Keywords: Zootechnical additive, digestibility enhancer, safety, efficacy, poultry, pigs

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) ; Scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Ronozyme WX (endo‐1,4‐beta‐xylanase) as a feed additive for poultry, piglets (weaned) and pigs for fattening. EFSA Journal 2012;10(7):2790. [21 pp.] doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2790.

Panel members: Gabriele Aquilina, Georges Bories, Andrew Chesson, Pier Sandro Cocconcelli, Joop de Knecht, Noël Albert Dierick, Mikolaj Antoni Gralak, Jürgen Gropp, Ingrid Halle, Christer Hogstrand, the late Reinhard Kroker, Lubomir Leng, Secundino López Puente, Anne‐Katrine Lundebye Haldorsen, Alberto Mantovani, Giovanna Martelli, Miklós Mézes, Derek Renshaw, Maria Saarela, Kristen Sejrsen and Johannes Westendorf

Correspondence: feedap@efsa.europa.eu

Acknowledgement: The Panel wishes to thank the members of the Working Group on Enzymes, including Piet Wester, Friedrick Schöne and Nuria Canibe, as well as the members of the Working Group on Genetically Modified Microorganisms, Boet Glandorf, Niels Hendriksen, John Heritage, Lieve Herman, Sirpa Kärenlampi, Kaare Nielsen and Christoph Tebbe, for the preparatory work on this scientific opinion.

Adoption date: 12 June 2012

Published date: 20 July 2012

Question number: EFSA‐Q‐2008‐419

On request from: European Commission

References

  1. EC (European Commission) , 2002, online. Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition on the use of certain enzymes in animal feedingstuffs (adopted 4 June 1998, updated 16 October 2002). Available from: ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scan/out96_en.pdf
  2. EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) , 2005. Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed on the safety of the enzyme preparation Bio‐Feed; Wheat for use as feed additive for ducks and pigs for fattening. The EFSA Journal, 262, 1–6. [Google Scholar]
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