2009/826/EC: Commission Decision of 13 October 2009 authorising the placing on the market of a leaf extract from Lucerne ( Medicago sativa ) as novel food or novel food ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2009) 7641)

• CELEX: Regulation (EC) No 258/97
• Articles: 5

Article 1

Lucerne ( Medicago sativa ) protein concentrate, hereinafter called the product, as specified in the Annex may be placed on the market in the Community as a novel food ingredient to be used in food supplements.

Article 2

The maximum amount of protein extract from Lucerne ( Medicago sativa ) present in a portion recommended for daily consumption by the manufacturer shall be 10 g.

Article 3

The designation of the novel food ingredient authorised by this Decision on the labelling of the foodstuff containing it shall be ‘Lucerne ( Medicago sativa ) protein’ or ‘Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) protein’.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to Luzerne — Recherche et Développement (L.-R.D.), Complexe agricole du Mont-Bernard, F-51000 Châlons-en-Champagne.

Schedules & Appendices

ANNEX

ANNEX

SPECIFICATIONS OF PROTEIN EXTRACT FROM LUCERNE ( MEDICAGO SATIVA )

Description

The Lucerne is processed within 2 hours after harvest. It is chopped and crushed. By passing through an oleaginous-type press, the Lucerne provides a fibrous residue and press juice (10 % of dry matter). The dry matter of this juice contains about 35 % of crude protein. The press juice (pH 5,8-6,2) is neutralised. Preheating and vapour injection allows coagulation of proteins associated with carotenoid and chlorophyll pigments. The protein precipitate is separated by centrifugation and thereafter dried. After adding ascorbic acid the Lucerne protein concentrate is granulated and stored in inert gas or in cold storage.

Composition of the protein extract from Lucerne ( Medicago sativa )

Protein

45-60 %

Fat

9-11 %

Free carbohydrates (soluble fibre)

1-2 %

Polysaccharides (insoluble fibre)

including cellulose

11-15 %

2-3 %

Minerals

8-13 %

Saponins

Not more than 1,4 %

Isoflavones

Not more than 350 mg/kg

Coumestrol

Not more than 100 mg/kg

Phytates

Not more than 200 mg/kg

L-canavanine

Not more than 4,5 mg/kg