Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
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EC number: 273-620-4 | CAS number: 68990-67-0 Extractives and their physically modified derivatives such as tinctures, concretes, absolutes, essential oils, oleoresins, terpenes, terpene-free fractions, distillates, residues, etc., obtained from Quillaja saponaria, Rosaceae.
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Genetic toxicity in vitro
Link to relevant study records
- Endpoint:
- genetic toxicity in vitro
- Data waiving:
- study scientifically not necessary / other information available
- Justification for data waiving:
- other:
Reference
Endpoint conclusion
- Endpoint conclusion:
- no adverse effect observed (negative)
Additional information
According to Annex XI section 1 of the REACH Regulation, the study does not need to be conducted when testing does not appear scientifically necessary. Annex XI considers the opportunity of evaluating historical human data.
As documented in the "BIOPESTICIDES REGISTRATION ACTION DOCUMENT" for Quillaja Saponaria, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/chem_search/reg_actions/registration/decision_PC-097095_11-Sep-09.pdf) considered Quillaja Saponaria as not mutagenic and not related to any known classes of mutagens since humans are regularly exposed to Quillaja saponins via their use as an FDA-approved flavoring agent and food additive without any reported adverse effects on human health.
Chronic feeding studies have shown that Quillaja Saponaria is not carcinogenic to mice and rats even when fed up to levels of 2200 mg/kg bw. For a long time Quillaja saponaria extracts are widely used as foaming agents in beverages and emulsifiers in foods with no report of any adverse effects. In soft drinks Quillaja extracts are used at levels of 100-500 mg/kg.
Quillaja is used in cocktail mixes and as emulsifiers in foods such as baked goods, candies, frozen dairy products, gelatine, and puddings. Other saponins are widely used in commonly consumed human food, flavoring, herbs, and spices also with no report of any adverse effects.
The WHO /FAO Expert Committee on Food Additives established an ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) for Quillaja extracts of up to 5 mg/kg (http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v48je03.htm#4.0).
The General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission lists Quillaja Saponaria as suitable for use as foaming agent in water-based flavoured drinks, including sport, energy or electrolyte drinks with a maximum use level of 500 mg/kg (Codex Alimentarius Commission, Joint/WHO Food Standards Programme, Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants, Thirty-seventh Session, The Hague, The Netherlands, 25-29 April 2005, CX/FAC 05/37/9).
Quillaja Saponaria extract are generally considered as safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States (FEMA GRAS number 2973).
Based on the existing human data and human experience with Quillaja Saponaria the substance is not mutagenic nor carcinogenic. Therefore testing for mutagenicity is scientifically unjustified.
Justification for classification or non-classification
As outlined above, no classification and subsequent labelling of Quillaja saponaria ext. for mutagenicity is required.
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.
