Biodereplication of antiplasmodial extracts: application of the amazonian medicinal plant piper coruscans kunth

Improved methodological tools to hasten antimalarial drug discovery remain of interest, especially when considering natural products as a source of drug candidates. We propose a biodereplication method combining the classical dereplication approach with the early detection of potential antiplasmodial compounds in crude extracts. Heme binding is used as a surrogate of the antiplasmodial activity and is monitored by mass spectrometry in a biomimetic assay. Molecular networking and automated annotation of targeted mass through data mining were followed by mass-guided compound isolation by taking advantage of the versatility and finely tunable selectivity offered by centrifugal partition chromatography. This biodereplication workflow was applied to an ethanolic extract of the Amazonian medicinal plant Piper coruscans Kunth (Piperaceae) showing an IC50 of 1.36 ug/mL on the 3D7 Plasmodium falciparum strain. It resulted in the isolation of twelve compounds designated as potential antiplasmodial compounds by the biodereplication workflow. Two chalcones, aurentiacin (1) and cardamonin (3), with IC50 values of 2.25 and 5.5 uM, respectively, can be considered to bear the antiplasmodial activity of the extract, with the latter not relying on a heme-binding mechanism. This biodereplication method constitutes a rapid, efficient, and robust technique to identify potential antimalarial compounds in complex extracts such as plant extracts

Scientific advice related to nutrient profiling for the development of harmonised mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling and the setting of nutrient profiles for restricting nutrition and health claims on foods

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver scientific advice related to nutrient profiling for the development of harmonised mandatory front‐of‐pack nutrition labelling and the setting of nutrient profiles for restricting nutrition and health claims on foods. This Opinion is based on systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of human studies on nutritionally adequate diets, data from the Global Burden of Disease framework, clinical practice guidelines, previous EFSA opinions and the priorities set by EU Member States in the context of their Food‐Based Dietary Guidelines and associated nutrient/food intake recommendations. Relevant publications were retrieved through comprehensive searches in PubMed. The nutrients included in the assessment are those likely to be consumed in excess or in inadequate amounts in a majority of European countries. Food groups with important roles in European diets have been considered. The Panel concludes that dietary intakes of saturated fatty acids (SFA), sodium and added/free sugars are above, and intakes of dietary fibre and potassium below, current dietary recommendations in a majority of European populations. As excess intakes of SFAs, sodium and added/free sugars and inadequate intakes of dietary fibre and potassium are associated with adverse health effects, they could be included in nutrient profiling models. Energy could be included because a reduction in energy intake is of public health importance for European populations. In food group/category‐based nutrient profiling models, total fat could replace energy in most food groups owing to its high‐energy density, while the energy density of food groups with low or no fat content may be well accounted for by the inclusion of (added/free) sugars. Some nutrients may be included in nutrient profiling models for reasons other than their public health importance, e.g. as a proxy for other nutrients of public health importance, or to allow for a better discrimination of foods within the same food category

Joselito® and lowering of LDL-cholesterol concentration, blood pressure, and reduction of coronary heart disease risk: Evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

AbstractFollowing an application from Cárnicas Joselito S.A. pursuant to Article 14 ofRegulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Spain, the Panel onNutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinionon the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to ‘Joselito ham increasesantioxidant substances in the body, reduces blood pressure and plasma triglycerides,decreases oxidative stress and prevents effect in diseases related to the cardiovascularand intestinal systems’. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under ahealth claim referring to disease risk reduction. The food constituent that is thesubject of the health claim is Joselito, an Iberian ham characterised by a high con-tent of oleic acid. The Panel considers that the food is sufficiently characterised.The Panel considers that lowering of LDL-cholesterol concentration and bloodpressure is a beneficial effect by decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease.Upon a request from EFSA, the applicant identified one human intervention studyas being pertinent to the claim. However, due to methodological limitations, thePanel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from this study for the scientificsubstantiation of the claim. The Panel notes that no human intervention studiesfrom which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of theclaim were provided by the applicant. The Panel concludes that a cause and effectrelationship has not been established between the intake of Joselito® ham and thereduction of LDL-cholesterol concentration or blood pressure

Green kiwifruit (lat. Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) and maintenance of normal defecation: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Zespri International Limited, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to green kiwifruit (lat. Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) and maintenance of normal defecation. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim based on newly developed scientific evidence. The food proposed by the applicant as the subject of the health claim is green kiwifruit. The Panel considers that green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is 'maintenance of normal defecation'. Maintenance of normal defecation is a beneficial physiological effect provided that it does not result in diarrhoea. All human intervention studies submitted had different limitations and could not be used on their own for the scientific substantiation of the claim. However, the results of six pertinent human intervention studies are consistent with respect to an effect of consuming daily between two and four green kiwifruits var. Hayward on an increase in stool frequency. Two out of four studies in which a validated instrument was used to assess stool consistency showed an effect also on stool consistency. There is evidence for a plausible mechanism by which kiwifruit could exert an effect on normal defecation. The consumption of kiwifruit in the studies did not result in diarrhoea. A cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) and maintenance of normal defecation. The following wordings reflect the scientific evidence: 'consumption of kiwifruit contributes to the maintenance of normal defecation'. In order to obtain the claimed effect, two large green kiwifruits (i.e. around 200 g of kiwi flesh) should be consumed

‘Citicoline’ and support of the memory function: Evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

AbstractFollowing an application from Egde Pharma Sp. z o.o, submitted for authorisa-tion of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006via the Competent Authority of Poland, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foodsand Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific sub-stantiation of a health claim related to citicoline and memory. The Panel considersthat the food, citicoline (cytidine 5-diphosphocholine, CDP- Choline) inner salt, issufficiently characterised. Improvement, maintenance or reduced loss of memoryis a beneficial physiological effect for middle-aged or elderly adults encounter-ing age-associated subjective memory impairment. The applicant identified threepertinent human intervention studies in healthy individuals that investigated theeffect of citicoline on memory. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into ac-count that only one randomised controlled trial in healthy participants showed abeneficial effect of citicoline on episodic memory when consumed at doses of 500mg/day for 12 weeks, whereas this effect has not been observed in another studyusing citicoline at doses of 1 g/day for 3 months or supported by data obtainedin patients with dementia using doses of 1 g/day for 12 weeks and 12 months. Noconvincing evidence of a plausible mechanism by which citicoline or any of itscomponents (in addition to their endogenous synthesis) could exert an effect onmemory in humans has been provided. The Panel concludes that a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of citico-line (CDP- Choline) inner salt and improvement, maintenance or reduced loss ofmemory in middle-aged or elderly adults encountering age-associated subjectivememory impairment

Nutritional safety and suitability of a specific protein hydrolysate derived from a whey protein concentrate and used in an infant formula and follow-on formula manufactured from hydrolysed protein by FrieslandCampina Nederland BV

The European Commission asked EFSA to deliver an opinion on the nutritional safety and suitability of a specific protein hydrolysate. It is derived from a whey protein concentrate and used in an infant and follow-on formula manufactured by FrieslandCampina Nederland B.V., which submitted a dossier to the European Commission to request an amendment of Regulation (EU) 2016/127 with respect to the protein sources that may be used in the manufacture of infant and/or follow-on formula. The protein hydrolysate under evaluation is sufficiently characterised with respect to the fraction of the hydrolysed protein. In the pertinent intervention study provided, an infant formula manufactured from the protein hydrolysate with a protein content of 2.4 g/100 kcal and consumed as the sole source of nutrition by infants for 3 months led to a growth equivalent to a formula manufactured from intact cow's milk protein with a protein content of 2.1 g/100 kcal. Data on gastrointestinal tolerance of the formula did not raise any concerns. No experimental data have been provided on the nutritional safety and suitability of this protein source in follow-on formula. Given that it is consumed with complementary foods and the protein source is nutritionally safe and suitable in an infant formula that is the sole source of nutrition of infants, the Panel considers that the protein hydrolysate is also a nutritionally safe and suitable protein source for use in follow-on formula. The Panel concludes that the protein hydrolysate under evaluation is a nutritionally safe and suitable protein source for use in infant and follow-on formula, as long as the formula in which it is used contains a minimum of 2.4 g/100 kcal protein and complies with the compositional criteria of Regulation (EU) 2016/127 and the amino acid pattern in its Annex IIIA

Efficacy of an infant formula manufactured from a specific protein hydrolysate derived from whey protein isolate and concentrate produced by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. in reducing the risk of developing atopic dermatitis

The European Commission asked EFSA to evaluate the efficacy of an infant formula, containing a specific protein hydrolysate derived from whey protein isolate and concentrate and manufactured by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., in reducing the risk of developing atopic dermatitis in infants with a family history of allergy. This was following the submission of a dossier by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. to the European Commission, in the context of Regulation (EU) 2016/127. The protein hydrolysate from which the infant formula is produced is included in Annex I and II of Commission delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 as suitable protein source for the manufacture of infant and follow-on formulae. This opinion does not cover the assessment of the nutritional safety and suitability of the infant formula or the safety of the food enzymes used in the manufacture of the protein hydrolysate. The Panel considers that, in relation to the effect that is claimed, the infant formula under evaluation is not sufficiently characterised with respect to the molecular weight distribution of peptides. From the human intervention studies submitted, no conclusions could be drawn on the efficacy of the infant formula in reducing the risk of developing atopic dermatitis. The Panel concludes that a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of the infant formula under evaluation and the reduction in the risk of developing atopic dermatitis in infants with a family history of allergy

Scientific opinion on the relationship between intake of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) and the risk of insulin autoimmune syndrome

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the relationship between alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and the risk of insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS). The Panel was also asked to advise on the dose below which ALA added to foods is not expected to cause IAS. A review of all possible adverse effects associated with consumption of ALA was not requested. This mandate refers to the procedure under Article 8(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 on addition of vitamins, minerals and certain other substances to foods. No pre-established rule exists for the evaluation of the safety of foods when classical toxicity tests cannot be used, e.g. for autoimmune diseases. Published scientific evidence was retrieved through comprehensive literature searches, particularly 49 case reports in which IAS developed following ALA consumption. In all cases, IAS resolved after a few weeks to months when ALA was discontinued. No publication linking the intake of ALA naturally occurring in foods to IAS was identified. The Panel concludes that the consumption of ALA added to foods, including food supplements, is likely to increase the risk of developing IAS in individuals with certain genetic polymorphisms, who cannot be readily identified without genetic testing. The plausible mechanism of such an effect has not yet been fully elucidated. The incidence of IAS in Europe is low and likely lower than in Japan where it has been estimated to be 0.017 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2017-2018. Considering the limited data available, the risk associated with the development of IAS following ALA consumption cannot be quantified precisely. An ALA dose below which IAS is not expected to occur is likely to vary between individuals and cannot be determined from the available data. (c) 2021 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority

Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for preformed vitamin A and β-carotene

Following two requests from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel onNutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientificopinion on the revision of the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for preformed vitamin A and β-carotene. Systematic reviews of the literature were conducted forpriority adverse health effects of excess vitamin A intake, namely teratogenicity,hepatotoxicity and endpoints related to bone health. Available data did not allowto address whether β-carotene could potentiate preformed vitamin A toxicity.Teratogenicity was selected as the critical effect on which to base the UL for preformed vitamin A. The Panel proposes to retain the UL for preformed vitamin A of 3000 μg RE/day for adults. This UL applies to men and women, including women of child-bearing age, pregnant and lactating women and post-menopausal women. This value was scaled down to other population groups using allometric scaling (body weight0.75), leading to ULs between 600 μg RE/day (infants 4–11 months) and 2600 μg RE/day (adolescents 15–17 years). Based on available intake data, European populations are unlikely to exceed the UL for preformed vitamin A if consumption of liver, offal and products thereof is limited to once per month or less. Women who are planning to become pregnant or who are pregnant are advised not to consume liver products. Lung cancer risk was selected as the critical effect of excess supplemental β-carotene. The available data were not sufficient and suitable to characterise a dose–response relationship and identify a reference point; therefore, no UL could be established. There is no indication that β-carotene intake from the background diet is associated with adverse health effects. Smokers should avoid consuming food supplements containing β-carotene. The use of supplemental β-carotene by the general population should be limited to the purpose of meeting vitamin A requirements

Affron® and increase in positive mood: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Pharmactive Biotech Products, S.L. submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Spain, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to affron (R) and contributes to maintain a healthy mood. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim based on newly developed scientific evidence. The food proposed by the applicant as the subject of the health claim is affron (R), an aqueous saffron extract with a content of the sum of crocins and safranal typically between 3.5% and 3.9%. The Panel notes that affron (R) is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is 'contributes to maintain a healthy mood'. The Panel notes that increase in positive mood is a beneficial physiological effect for individuals with low mood or anxiety. One human intervention study showed that consumption of affron (R) at a dose of 28 mg/day for 4 weeks improves mood in a population of adults with low mood. However, the results have not been replicated in other studies. The information supplied by the applicant did not provide evidence for a plausible mechanism by which affron (R) could exert the claimed effect. The Panel concludes that the evidence is insufficient to establish a cause and effect relationship between the consumption of affron (R) and increase in positive mood. (C) 2021 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority