Major Category
Biological Agents
Synonyms
Abomasal enzyme; Chymase; Chymosin; EC 34234; EC 3443; LAB; LAB Ferment [German]; Rennase; [ChemIDplus]
Description
Yellowish solid with a peculiar odor; Somewhat hygroscopic; [Merck Index]
Sources/Uses
The main milk-clotting enzyme in the true stomach of suckling calves; Rennet is used to make cheese and custards and as a therapeutic digestive enzyme; [Merck Index] Available commercially as Rennet, a dried extract containing rennin; Used therapeutically, to coagulate casein for plastics, and as a food additive; [Hawley] Produced by Kluyveromyces lactis containing the bovine prochymosin B gene; [JECFA]
Comments
A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause respiratory sensitization after prolonged contact; [eChemPortal: ESIS] May cause skin irritation and asthma; [Aldrich MSDS] See "ENZYMES."
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: