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).
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 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.
© 2025 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.
Publication Date: 2025-10-15 PubMed ID: 41103775PubMed Central: PMC12521861DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9682Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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Efficacy of feed additives from Ginkgo biloba leaves was evaluated to determine if ginkgo tinctures and extract effectively enhance flavor in animal feed. New studies indicated that these additives can alter the flavor of feed, supporting their use as sensory additives for various animals.
Background and Purpose
- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was requested by the European Commission to assess the efficacy of feed additives derived from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L.
- Two types of additives were evaluated: ginkgo tinctures for all animal species and ginkgo extract specifically for horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
- These additives fall under ‘sensory additives,’ meaning they are intended to influence the flavor or aroma of animal feed to potentially improve feed acceptance or intake.
Previous Assessments and Limitations
- Earlier studies focused mainly on sensory analysis of ginkgo extract in aqueous solutions, which showed an intense aroma distinct from plain water.
- However, these studies did not provide evidence demonstrating that the additives would effectively impart flavor to complex food or feed matrices.
- Because of this lack of evidence, the FEEDAP Panel (EFSA’s Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed) could not conclusively determine whether these additives were effective in practical feed applications.
New Efficacy Studies
- The applicant conducted new studies to address previous gaps by testing the impact of ginkgo extract and tinctures on flavor within a typical food or feed matrix rather than just aqueous solutions.
- These studies showed that adding the ginkgo-derived additives under the experimental conditions led to detectable flavor changes in the feed.
- These results provide evidence that the additives can influence feed flavor, which is essential for their role as sensory additives.
Conclusions by the FEEDAP Panel
- Based on new evidence, the Panel concludes that ginkgo extract and tinctures have the potential to be efficacious sensory additives in animal feed.
- This means they can contribute to altering or improving the flavor of feed, which could enhance feed palatability for the specified animal species.
- The assessment supports the authorization of these additives for the intended species and use conditions.
Implications and Applications
- Ginkgo-based feed additives could be used across a broad range of animals to improve flavor and feeding experience.
- Improved flavoring may promote better feed intake, potentially benefiting animal health and performance.
- The confirmation of efficacy is necessary for regulatory approval and market acceptance of these additives in the animal feed industry.
Cite This Article
APA
Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto-Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Bastos ML, Benfenati E, Brantom P, Chesson A, Schlatter J, Westendorf J, Manini P.
(2025).
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).
EFSA J, 23(10), e9682.
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9682 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
References
This article includes 4 references
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- nEFSA FEEDAP Panel (EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed)n, nBampidis, V.n, nAzimonti, G.n, nBastos, M. L.n, nChristensen, H.n, nDurjava, M.n, nKouba, M.n, nLópez‐Alonso, M.n, nLópez Puente, S.n, nMarcon, F.n, nMayo, B.n, nPechová, A.n, nPetkova, M.n, nRamos, F.n, nVilla, R. E.n, nWoutersen, R.n, nBrantom, P.n, nChesson, A.n, nSchlatter, J.n, … nDusemund, B.n (2024b). Safety and efficacy of feed additives consisting of ginkgo tinctures obtained from the leaves of L. for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA Journal, 22(5), 8798. 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8798n
- EFSA FEEDAP Panel (EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed) , Bampidis, V. , Azimonti, G. , Bastos, M. L. , Christensen, H. , Durjava, M. , Dusemund, B. , Kouba, M. , López‐Alonso, M. , López Puente, S. , Marcon, F. , Mayo, B. , Pechová, A. , Petkova, M. , Ramos, F. , Villa, R. E. , Woutersen, R. , Dierick, N. , Gropp, J. , … Ortuño, J. (2024c). Guidance on the assessment of the efficacy of feed additives. EFSA Journal, 22(7), 8856. 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8856
- ISO (International Standard Organization) . (2021). International standard ISO 4120. Sensory analysis – Methodology – Triangle test . Reference number ISO 4120:2021(E), Geneva, Switzerland.
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