Safety and efficacy of an additive consisting of xanthan gum produced by Xanthomonas campestris strains ■■■■■, ■■■■■ for all animal species (Biopolymer International)

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on xanthan gum as a feed additive for all animal species. Xanthan gum is manufactured using different production strains belonging to the X. campestris species. The identity of the strains producing xanthan gum was not unambiguously established, data on antimicrobial susceptibility were incomplete, and it was not possible to exclude the presence in the additive of viable cells/DNA of the production strains. Consequently, no conclusions could be drawn on the safety of the X. campestris strains ■■■■■. Considering the above and in the absence of adequate information on the additive under assessment, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the safety of xanthan gum produced by the X. campestris strains ■■■■■ for the target species, the consumer, the user and the environment. Xanthan gum is considered as an efficacious stabiliser and thickener in feedingstuffs for all animal species at the proposed conditions of use.

Statement on the safety and efficacy of the feed additive consisting on tragacanth gum for all animal species (Association for International Promotion of Gums)

The additive tragacanth gum is intended to be used as a technological additive (category: technological additive; functional groups: emulsifier, stabiliser, thickener, gelling agent) for all animal species. The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) assessed the data provided by the applicant in the technical dossier. During the course of the assessment, the need for additional information in order to be able to deliver an opinion on the safety and efficacy of this additive was identified and notified to the applicant. The information requested covered the characterisation and identification, the safety for the target species and the efficacy of the additive. The applicant has failed to provide the additional information. Therefore, considering the data provided in the original dossier and the absence of response from the applicant to the requests from EFSA, the FEEDAP Panel is not in a position to deliver an opinion on the safety and efficacy of the additive tragacanth gum as a technological additive for all animal species.

The Tensile Behaviour of Highly Filled High-Density Polyethylene Quaternary Composites: Weld-Line Effects, DIC Curiosities and Shifted Deformation Mechanisms

The interactive effects between additives and weld lines, which are frequent injection-moulding defects, were studied in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and compared to weld-line-free reference samples. These materials were formulated around a D- and I-optimal experimental design, based on a quadratic Scheffé polynomial model, with up to 60 wt% calcium carbonate, masterbatched carbon black and a stabiliser package. Where reasonable and appropriate, the behaviours of the systems were modelled using statistical techniques, for a better understanding of the underlying trends. The characterisations were performed through the use of conventional tensile testing, digital image correlation (DIC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A range of complex interactive effects were found during conventional tensile testing, with DIC used to better understand and explain these effects. SEM is used to better understand the failure mechanics of some of these systems through fractography, particularly regarding particle effects. A measure is introduced to quantify the deviation of the pre-yield deformation curve from the ideal elastic case. Novel analysis of DIC results is proposed, through the use of combined time-series plots and measures quantifying the extent and localisation of peak deformation. Through this, it could be found that strong shifts in the deformation mechanisms occur as a function of formulation and the presence/absence of weld lines. Primarily, changes are noted in the onset of continuous inter- and intralamellar slip and cavitation/fibrillation, seen through the onset of localised deformation and stress-whitening.

Safety and efficacy of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose for all animal species

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a feed additive for all animal species. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is intended for use as a technological additive (functional groups: emulsifier, stabiliser, thickener, gelling agent and binder) in premixtures and feedingstuffs for all animal species with no minimum and maximum content. A proper identification and characterisation of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as required for a feed additive is not available and the occurrence of potential toxic impurities cannot be assessed. The following conclusions apply only to sodium carboxymethyl cellulose meeting the food additive specifications. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is considered safe for all animal species. The use of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in animal nutrition is of no concern for consumer safety. In the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel was not in the position to conclude on the safety of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose for the user. The use of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a feed additive is considered safe for the environment. The additive is considered to be efficacious in feedingstuffs for all animal species.

Safety and efficacy of hydroxypropyl cellulose for all animal species

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on hydroxypropyl cellulose as a feed additive for all animal species. Hydroxypropyl cellulose is intended for use as a technological additive (functional groups: emulsifier, stabiliser and thickener) in premixtures and feedingstuffs for all animal species with no minimum and maximum content. A proper identification and characterisation of hydroxypropyl cellulose as required for a feed additive is not available and the occurrence of potential toxic impurities cannot be assessed. The following conclusions apply only to hydroxypropyl cellulose meeting the food additive specifications. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that hydroxypropyl cellulose is considered safe for all animal species. The use of hydroxypropyl cellulose in animal nutrition is of no concern for consumer safety. In the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel was not in the position to conclude on the safety of hydroxypropyl cellulose for the user. The use of hydroxypropyl cellulose as a feed additive is considered safe for the environment. The additive is considered to be efficacious in feedingstuffs for all animal species.

Safety and efficacy of methyl cellulose for all animal species

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on methyl cellulose as a feed additive for all animal species. Methyl cellulose is intended for use as a technological additive (functional groups: emulsifier, stabiliser, thickener, gelling agent and binder) in premixtures and feedingstuffs for all animal species with no minimum and maximum content. A proper identification and characterisation of methyl cellulose as required for a feed additive is not available and the occurrence of potential toxic impurities cannot be assessed. The following conclusions apply only to methyl cellulose meeting the food additive specifications. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that methyl cellulose is considered safe for all animal species. The use of methyl cellulose in animal nutrition is of no concern for consumer safety. In the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel was not in the position to conclude on the safety of methyl cellulose for the user. The use of methyl cellulose as a feed additive is considered safe for the environment. The additive is considered to be efficacious in feedingstuffs for all animal species.

Sudden, new-onset aortic regurgitation during off pump coronary bypass surgery

During off pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, it is common to observe mitral or tricuspid regurgitation due to heart displacement. But it's very unusual to notice new onset aortic regurgitation in OPCABG.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticle by cauliflower extract: characterisation and antibacterial activity against storage

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was accomplished using different volumes of cauliflower extract and 0.001 M silver nitrate solution at 80°C for 15 min. A brownish‐red solution of AgNPs formed was tested by ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Surface plasmon resonance of AgNPs appeared at 416 nm. Also, the kinetic of AgNPs formation was studied and follows a sigmoidal pattern. Storing time was studied for the freshly prepared AgNPs after 60 days. FTIR analysis shows the adsorption of active components on AgNPs surface, and these components are responsible for reduction besides working as a stabiliser like a capping agent, also FTIR analysis of AgNPs after storage showed no change in peaks location. The SEM exhibited a globular shape of AgNPs, and the particle size ranged from 25 to 100 nm, while the XRD particle size calculation was 25 nm with cubic phase lattice. The antibacterial activity was tested against Gram‐positive and ‐negative bacteria showed an inhibition zone of 16–27 mm and the antibacterial activity tested for the same bacteria after storage for about 10 months showed an inhibition zone of 6–10 mm.

Characterisation of Physicochemical Properties of Propionylated Corn Starch and Its Application as Stabiliser

A series of propionylated starches with different degrees of substitution (DS) was synthesised and their physicochemical properties and application as a stabiliser were investigated. Starch propionates with moderate DS were prepared by esterification of native corn starch with propionic anhydride. By varying the reaction times of the esterification process, twelve starch propionates with DS of 0.47 to 0.94 were prepared. FTIR and NMR confirmed the introduction of propionyl groups to the starch. X-ray diffraction pattern showed reduced crystallinity in the starch propionates. The contact angle was found to increase proportionately with the increase in DS. Swelling power results showed that starch propionates were able to swell more than native corn starch at low temperature (40 °C). Oil-in- -water (O/W) emulsions prepared using starch propionates (DS of 0.64 to 0.86) showed exceptional stability when challenged by centrifugation stress test. These stable O/W emulsions had viscosities in the range of 1236.7-3330.0 mPa·s. In conclusion, moderately substituted short-chain (propionylated) starches could be a promising cold swelling starch, thickener and O/W emulsion stabiliser in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.