Trichoderma reesei - information sheet

Strain ATCC 74252

Overview

The Government of Canada conducted a science-based evaluation of Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252, called a screening assessment, to address the potential for harm to Canadians and the environment.
Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), the risk posed by a substance is determined by considering both its hazardous properties (its potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount of exposure there is to people or to the environment. A substance may have hazardous properties; however, the risk to human health or to the environment may be low depending upon the level of exposure.
Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is not hazardous to human health. It was estimated to have a low-medium hazard toward the environment; however, exposure to Canadians and the environment is low. Therefore, it is concluded that Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is not harmful to human health or to the environment.

This screening assessment focuses on the organism Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252. This Priority B (medium hazard) organism was assessed as part of the micro-organisms initiative of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).
Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is a fungus that could have a number of industrial and commercial uses. The characteristics of Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 make it suitable for use in various other applications, including the production of proteins and microbial pesticides.
Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 has characteristics in common with other species of the genus Trichoderma and other strains of the species Trichoderma reesei, which are found in nature.
Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is currently used in Canada for a variety of applications including enzyme or chemical production within a contained facility.

According to information available to the Government of Canada, Canadians are not expected to be exposed to Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 nor is it expected to be released into the Canadian environment.

There is no evidence in the scientific literature indicating that Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is likely to have adverse effects on human health. Trichoderma reesei is unlikely to cause infection in humans.
In the unlikely event of infection, Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is susceptible to major clinical antifungal drugs.
Trichoderma species including Trichoderma reesei are capable of producing metabolites called peptaibols. Some Trichoderma reesei strains can produce the peptaibol paracelsin as well as other peptaibols. Paracelsin is reported to be harmful to aquatic invertebrates, to mammalian cells, and to mice in experimental conditions where natural barriers were bypassed. Production of paracelsin and other peptaibols is not thought to occur under industry-standard conditions of submerged fermentation in which Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is currently used, but could occur under other growth conditions, particularly in fermentation of solid plant material or insoluble substrates.
Considering the potential for the production of paracelsin and other peptaibols under certain conditions, the environmental hazard potential of Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is assessed to be low-medium.

Considering all information presented in this assessment, the risk to human health from Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is low.
Also considering all information presented, there is low risk of harm to organisms and the broader integrity of the environment from Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252.
Nevertheless, the change in growth conditions in industrial processes using Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 could lead to the release of metabolites into the environment that may have adverse effects on aquatic invertebrates and mammals.
The Government of Canada published the Final Screening Assessment for Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 on February 24, 2018.

As a result of this screening assessment, the Government concluded that Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is not harmful to human health at current levels of exposure.
The Government also concluded that Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is not entering the environment at levels that are harmful to the environment.

Although Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 is not considered to be harmful to human health and the environment at current levels of exposure, it is considered to have ecological effects of concern due to its potential to produce paracelsin and other peptaibols. Therefore, there may be a concern to the environment if exposures were to increase.
Therefore, in August 18, 2021, the Government published an order amending the Domestic Substances List (DSL) to apply Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions of CEPA 1999 to Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252.
This requires that the Government be notified of any proposed new activities related to Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252. New activity would be subject to assessment prior to the new activity commencing.

Canadians who may be exposed to Trichoderma reesei strain ATCC 74252 in the workplace should consult with their employer and an occupational health and safety (OHS) representative about safe handling practices, applicable laws and requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).