IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF MAJOR PEANUT ALLERGENS (IN CHINA) WITH IGE-BINDING PROPERTY

Peanut allergens have not been studied in China. This study aimed to investigate (1) whether there are differences in the relative amounts of major peanut allergens between the Chinese peanut varieties and the American, and (2) the effect of cooking methods on peanut allergenicity. The allergenic property of raw peanuts and peanut preparations was assessed by immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relative contents of the major peanut allergens were quantified by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis densitometry. For results, Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 were major peanut allergens in China. The amounts of Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 in peanut varieties differ significantly and were both lower than the American varieties. The immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding ability of different processed peanuts to IgE was not significantly different. Therefore, peanut varieties may induce different amounts of allergens. The relative lower contents of Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 may lead to the lower prevalence of peanut allergy.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Because of its nutritional and rheological properties, peanut is used in a wide range of different foods, and peanut allergy represents an important health problem. It is essential to identify the compounds of peanut allergens and to study their characteristics in order to explore approaches for the therapies and to breed the nonallergenic peanut seed.