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Imprint
Development and validation of efficient screening tools for the detection of allergens in food
Project
Project code: BfR-LMS-08-1322-462
Contract period: 01.01.2011
- 31.12.2013
Purpose of research: Applied research
Molluscs and crustaceous organisms - generally known as “shellfish” - both belong to the most species-rich animal groups which are consumed as food. Anaphylaxis to molluscs and cross reaction with crustacea is a well known phenomena and not only an issue in countries with a high tradition of shellfish consumption. The European legislation therefore implies crustaceous animals and products derived from these as well as molluscs and derived products thereof in the ANNEX IIIa of the Directive 2003/13/EC which demands mandatory labelling of allergens. All potentially allergenic ingredients appearing in this annex must be labelled – independent from their amount – if present in a food. Against the overwhelming amount of crustaceous animals and molluscs being consumed, up to date there are only a few detection methods available. These methods are based primarily on some commercial immunological test kits, which only cover a restricted spectrum of species. So far there are no official methods existing for the detection of crustacea or molluscs in food which have been validated in a ring trial. The goal of the project is the development of screening methods based on polymerase-chainreaction (PCR), which are able to identify the most economical relevant crustacea and molluscs’ species in food in one analytical step. This will be achieved by pipetting individual PCR-systems onto a microtiter plate, which thus is “ready-to-use” for the purpose. The approach can be performed in any laboratory, independent from a commercial distributor and will therefore be a step forward to close the existing gap in terms of allergen food surveillance and law enforcement. Exceptionally from a few immunological kits of commercial providers and , no validated methods are available for the detection of shellfish and mollusc species in food. A few PCR methods have been developed within this project in 2012. Direct detection of protein from targeted species by LC-MS/MS is a promising approach to overcome limitations of PCR. Accordingly, the major goal of the project was the screening for heat-stable proteins, which can be used for LC-MS/MS detection of molluscan material in contaminated food. 2-DE screening of molluscan protein extract obtained from different species showed a range of heat-stable proteins, which may be useful for detection of molluscan material in food by mass spectrometry. After final evaluation of results and selection of a battery of marker proteins it will be possible to establish SRM protocols for sensitive detection of proteins in food matrices.
Section overview
Subjects
- Biotechnology
- Toxicology
