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. 2023 Jun;43(6):887-912.
doi: 10.1002/jat.4432. Epub 2023 Jan 26.

Toxicological evaluation of protein powder derived from Cupriavidus necator

Vickie Modica  1 , Róbert Glávits  2 , Timothy S Murbach  1 , John R Endres  1 , Gábor Hirka  2   3 , Adél Vértesi  3 , Erzsébet Béres  3 , Ilona Pasics Szakonyiné  2
Affiliations

Toxicological evaluation of protein powder derived from Cupriavidus necator

Vickie Modica et al. J Appl Toxicol. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Microorganisms have the potential to produce nutrient-rich products that can be consumed as food or feed. The protein-rich powder derived from heat treatment of the whole-cell biomass of polyhydroxybutyrate-deficient Cupriavidus necator, a metabolically versatile organism that uses elements found in the air, is an example of such a product. To assess the safety of the protein powder for use as a nutritional ingredient in human food, in accordance with internationally accepted standards, its genotoxic potential and repeated-dose oral toxicity were investigated. A bacterial reverse mutation test, an in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test, and an in vivo mammalian micronucleus test were performed. No evidence of mutagenicity or genotoxicity was found. Additionally, a 90-day repeated-dose oral toxicity study in rats was completed, in which a total of 100 male and female Wistar rats were exposed by gavage to daily doses of 1000, 2000, or 3000 mg/kg bw/day of the test material. Following 90 days of continuous exposure, no mortality or treatment-related adverse effects were observed and no target organs were identified. Therefore, a no observed adverse effect level was determined at 3000 mg/kg bw/day, the highest dose tested.

Keywords: Cupriavidus necator; NOAEL; protein concentrate; single-cell protein; toxicity, genotoxicity, safety.

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References

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