In silico and in vitro safety assessment of a fungal biomass from Rhizomucor pusillus for use as a novel food ingredient.

To address the growing world population and reduce the impact of environmental changes on the global food supply, ingredients are being produced using microorganisms to yield sustainable and innovative products. Food ingredients manufactured using modern biotechnology must be produced by non-toxigenic and nonpathogenic production organisms that do not harbor antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Several fungal species represent attractive targets as sources of alternative food products. One such product is a fungal biomass obtained from the fermentation of Rhizomucor pusillus strain CBS 143028. The whole genome sequence of this strain was annotated and subjected to sequence homology searches and in silico phenotype prediction tools to identify genetic elements encoding for protein toxins active via oral consumption, virulence factors associated with pathogenicity, and determinants of AMR. The in silico investigation revealed no genetic elements sharing significant sequence homology with putative virulence factors, protein toxins, or AMR determinants, including the absence of mucoricin, an essential toxin in the pathogenesis of mucormycosis. These in silico findings were corroborated in vitro based on the absence of clinically relevant mycotoxin or antibacterial secondary metabolites. Consequently, it is unlikely that R. pusillis strain CBS 143028 would pose a safety concern for use in food for human consumption.

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Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Kevin Scaife reports financial support was provided by The Protein Brewery B.V. Trung Vo reports financial support was provided by The Protein Brewery B.V. Yvonne Dommels reports financial support was provided by The Protein Brewery B.V. Elisa Leune reports financial support was provided by The Protein Brewery B.V. Kaj Albermann reports financial support was provided by The Protein Brewery B.V. Lucie Parenicova reports financial support was provided by The Protein Brewery B.V. Kevin Scaife reports a relationship with The Protein Brewery B.V. that includes: consulting or advisory. Trung Vo reports a relationship with The Protein Brewery B.V. that includes: consulting or advisory. Yvonne Dommels reports a relationship with The Protein Brewery B.V. that includes: employment. Elisa Leune reports a relationship with The Protein Brewery B.V. that includes: employment. Kaj Albermann reports a relationship with The Protein Brewery B.V. that includes: non-financial support. Lucie Parenicova reports a relationship with The Protein Brewery B.V. that includes: employment.