Simultaneous quantification of specific food allergen proteins using a fluorescent multiplex array

• Published in: Food chemistry 2022-09, Vol.389, p.132986-132986, Article 132986
• Main Authors: Filep, Stephanie C., Reid Black, Kristina, Smith, Bryan R.E., Block, Denise S., Kuklinska-Pijanka, Anna, Bermingham, Max, Oliver, Maria A., Thorpe, Catherine M., Schuhmacher, Zachary P., Agah, Sayeh, Wuenschmann, Sabina, Chapman, Martin D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allergen testing; Allergens; Food allergy; Food regulations; Multiplex array
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132986

•A molecular array for measuring 17 food allergens simultaneously.•The array targets major food allergen molecules that cause allergic reactions.•Reliable testing of allergens in foods, food references and incurred foods.•Tests for all foods that are regulated un the US, Europe and Japan.•Applications in risk assessment for the food industry. The aim was to develop a fluorescent multiplex array for simultaneously measuring regulated food allergens using specific allergen protein molecules from peanut, tree nut, cow’s milk, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame, mustard and celery. Microspheres coupled to specific monoclonal antibodies were used for allergen detection, with purified allergens as reference standards.Standard curves for 17 allergens covered a 5-log dynamic range. Intra- and inter-assay acceptance criteria were within 70–130% recovery and a CV of ≤15%. Food reference materials contained high levels of their respective major allergens (2000–175,000 µg/g), Similar high allergen levels were found in 10 selected foods analysed using a 9-plex array. Egg, milk, peanut, hazelnut and walnut allergens were detectable in chocolate bars with incurred allergens at 3, 10, 30, and 100 ppm. The multiplex array is an efficient tool for measuring specific food allergens, with applications for risk assessment and standardization of therapeutic products for food allergy.