RESUMO
One way of limiting the environmental impact of food production and improving food security is to replace part of the animal- or plant-based protein in the human diet with protein sourced from microorganisms. The recently discovered bacterium Xanthobacter sp. SoF1 (VTT-E-193585) grows autotrophically using carbon dioxide gas as the only carbon source, yielding protein-rich biomass that can be processed further into a powder and incorporated into various food products. Since the safety of this microbial protein powder for human consumption had not been previously assessed, its genotoxic potential was evaluated employing three internationally recognized and standardized studies: a bacterial reverse mutation test, an in vitro chromosomal aberration assay in human lymphocytes, and an in vitro micronucleus test in human lymphocytes. No biologically relevant evidence of genotoxicity or mutagenicity was found.
RESUMO
Results of genotoxicity studies for magnesium salts of isobutyrate and 2-methylbutyrate, two candidate ingredients for inclusion in animal feed, are described in this manuscript. Both substances were tested for mutagenicity in a bacterial reverse mutation assay and clastogenicity/aneugenicity in an in vitro micronucleus study in human lymphocytes, conducted according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines. The substances were tested up to the limits of solubility in the tests. The results showed that that magnesium salts of isobutyrate and 2-methylbutyrate are not mutagenic, clastogenic or aneugenic. The tests were valid, as the negative and positive controls produced expected responses.
