Efficacy of feed additives obtained from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L.: Ginkgo tinctures for all animal species and ginkgo extract for horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs (FEFANA asbl)

TL;DR

This study evaluates whether ginkgo-based feed additives can effectively add flavor to animal feed for various species.

Contribution

New studies show ginkgo extract and tinctures can impart detectable flavor changes to feed.

Findings

Ginkgo extract and tinctures can cause detectable flavor changes in feed under tested conditions.

Previous assessments found no evidence of flavor impartation, but new data supports efficacy.

The FEEDAP Panel now considers these additives potentially efficacious as sensory feed additives.

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the efficacy of feed additives obtained from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L.: ginkgo tinctures as sensory additives for all animal species and ginkgo extract as a sensory additive for horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. In previous assessments, a sensory analysis of ginkgo extract was performed, which showed that aqueous solutions of ginkgo extract have an intense aroma, significantly different from plain water. No evidence was provided to show that the additives would impart flavour to a food or feed matrix. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of the additives. The applicant provided new efficacy studies, which showed that the addition of the additives under assessment (ginkgo extract and ginkgo tinctures) led to detectable flavour changes to a food matrix under the experimental conditions tested. The FEEDAP Panel considers that ginkgo extract and ginkgo tinctures have the potential to be efficacious as sensory additives in feed.