In vitro determination of the allergenic potential of egg white in processed meat.

Hen's egg white has been reported as a causative agent of allergic reactions, with ovalbumin, conalbumin, ovomucoid, and lysozyme being the major allergens. However, little is known about the effects of processing with heat and high pressure on the allergenicity of egg white proteins as ingredients in meat. For this purpose, the allergenic characteristics of such treated preparations were studied.

Characterization, antigenicity and detection of fish gelatine and isinglass used as processing aids in wines.

Fish gelatine (FG) and isinglass (IG) are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry and as ingredients or processing aids in food production. Both products are the focus of interest since several countries, particularly the member states of the EU and Japan, USA, Australia and New Zealand, have introduced special labelling regulations for allergenic foodstuffs, such as fish and products thereof. Thus, there is a demand for a reliable and sensitive method for the detection of FG and IG in foodstuffs.

Competitive indirect ELISA for the determination of parvalbumins from various fish species in food grade fish gelatins and isinglass with PARV-19 anti-parvalbumin antibodies.

Parvalbumins are well-known as major fish allergens. However, no quantitative analytical method is currently available for the determination of parvalbumins from different fish species. The aim of this study was the isolation of the various parvalbumins by the application of gel chromatography and dialysis and the development and validation of a competitive indirect ELISA for the determination of parvalbumins from various fish species.

Determination of the bovine food allergen casein in white wines by quantitative indirect ELISA, SDS-PAGE, Western blot and immunostaining.

This study describes the characterization of allergic bovine casein and caseinate fining agents by SDS-PAGE analysis and the development of a quantitative indirect ELISA for the detection of these substances in wines. The ELISA was applied to various experimental wines that were treated with different caseinate dosages and went through different processing steps and to a panel of commercial wines. Positive results were assured by SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and immunostaining.

Lysozyme in wine: A risk evaluation for consumers allergic to hen's egg.

Lysozyme used in wine production could present a risk for consumers allergic to hen's egg. Thus, precautionary labeling of lysozyme on wines has been adopted within the European Community by updating Annex IIIa by Directive 2007/68/EC on November 27, 2007. Since no scientific data is known about the actual amounts and risks of lysozyme in wines, various in vitro efforts and skin prick tests were applied in this study to evaluate the presence of lysozyme in wines and the reactivity of those residues in allergic individuals and to fulfill the claim of updating Annex IIIa announced in Directive 2003/89/EC.

Aspects of food processing and its effect on allergen structure.

The article summarizes current physical and chemical methods in food processing as storage, preparation, separation, isolation or purification and thermal application on the one hand as well as enzymatic treatment on the other and their impact on the properties of food proteins. Novel methods of food processing like high pressure, electric field application or irradiation and their impact on food allergens are presented. The EU project REDALL (Reduced Allergenicity of Processed Foods, Containing Animal Allergens: QLK1-CT-2002-02687) showed that by a combination of enzyme and heat treatment the allergic potential of hen's egg decreased about 100 fold.

In vitro determination of the allergenic potential of technologically altered hen's egg.

Hen's egg allergy represents one of the most common and severe IgE-mediated reactions to food in infants and young children. It persists, however, in many cases also lifelong. Therefore, the aim of this study was the detailed analysis of a technological process used to reduce the allergenic potential of hen's egg.

Investigation of the allergenic potential of wines fined with various proteinogenic fining agents by ELISA.

Hidden allergens are a common problem in food safety that has been known for many years. This is why the European Parliament adopted Directive 2003/89/EC amending 2000/13/EC. In addition to specific ingredients, Directive 2003/89/EC also requests the declaration of specific products that were used in the production and could be a risk for allergic individuals.

Effect of technological processing on the allergenicity of mangoes (Mangifera indica L.).

In parallel with the rising popularity of exotic fruits in Europe, allergy against mango is of increasing importance. Because mangoes are also consumed as processed products such as chutneys or beverages, the influences of different process conditions on their allergenicity were investigated. Mango purees and nectars were manufactured at small pilot-plant scale, and the allergenic potencies of the resulting intermediate and final products were determined by means of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), immunoblotting and inhibitive enzyme allergosorbent tests (EAST-inhibition), using a pool serum of 9 individuals with manifest mango allergy.

Stability of bovine allergens during food processing.

Objective: The primary objective of this review was to summarize reported findings about the influence of various food manufacturing processes on the potential alteration of bovine allergens in cow's milk, beef, and related food products.

Data Sources: This review was based on literature research in two German databases.

Study Selection: The expert opinion of the authors was used to select the relevant data for the review.