Unsuspected lupin allergens hidden in food.
BACKGROUND
Lupin is a herbaceous plant from the legume family whose seed allergens usually have cross-reaction with peanut. Lupin flour is used in human nutrition because of its high nutritional and functional qualities.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this work was to detect non-specified lupin proteins contained in several manufactured foods.


METHODS
Serum from a patient suffering anaphylactic episodes after ingestion of a certain brand of cookies and with oral allergy syndrome after eating chicken bouillon was used as a tracer. Lupin seeds and commercial food extracts were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting and immunoblotting inhibition. Lupin extract allergenicity after thermal processing was also analyzed.


RESULTS
A lupin allergen with a molecular weight close to 14 kDa was detected in extracts from cookies, a chicken bouillon cube and a chicken dehydrated soup.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of unsuspected, hidden non-specified lupin sources in food labeling was demonstrated. According to the results of this study, it is important for food-allergic patients that food labels should declare all the components irrespective of their quantity.
Rojas-Hijazo
B
B
Servicio Alergología, Hospital Clinico Universitario, Zaragoza, Spain. rojashijazo@yahoo.es
Garcés
M M
MM
Caballero
M L
ML
Alloza
P
P
Moneo
I
I
D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005504:Food Analysis; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D005515:Food Labeling; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D031297:Lupinus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000276:immunology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
D000485:Allergens; D010936:Plant Extracts