Safety evaluation of an alpha-cyclodextrin glycosyltranferase preparation

Alpha-cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase (alpha-CGTase, EC 2.4.1.19) is an amylolytic enzyme used for the production of alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD), a novel, soluble dietary fiber, from food-grade starch. The safety of an alpha-CGTase preparation obtained by batch fermentation from a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli K12 harboring the alpha-CGTase gene from Klebsiella oxytoca strain M5a1 was examined. In a 13-week subchronic toxicity study in rats, the administration by gavage of the alpha-CGTase preparation at levels of up to 20 ml/kg bw/day, corresponding to a total organic solids dosage of 260 mg/kg bw/day, did not cause any systemic toxic effect. Some signs of irritation were observed in the respiratory tract which occurred, however, in one sex only and/or were not dose-related. Accordingly, these changes were considered to be an unspecific consequence of the reflux and aspiration of the dosing solution. There was no evidence of a genotoxic activity in Ames tests and a chromosome aberration test in cultured human lymphocytes. It is concluded that the examined alpha-CGTase preparation is safe when used for the production of alpha-CD.