
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.
Done at Brussels, 13 October 2009.
For the Commission
Androulla VASSILIOU
Member of the Commission
ANNEX
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.


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
