Title
Effect of thermal processing on mealworm allergenicity
Author
Broekman, H.
Knulst, A.
den Hartog Jager, S.
Monteleone, F.
Gaspari, M.
de Jong, G.
Houben, G.
Verhoeckx, K.
Publication year
2015
Abstract
Scope: The growing world population requires the exploration of new sustainable protein sources to ensure food security. Insects such as mealworm are promising candidates. For safety reasons, a risk assessment, including allergy risks, is needed. Since allergenicity can be influenced by thermal processing, it is highly important to take this into account. Methods and results: Fresh mealworm was heat processed and extracted by a sequential extraction method using in succession Tris, urea, and a combined SDS/DTT buffer. Extracts were tested using immunoblot, basophil activation test and skin prick test in 15 shrimp allergic patients, previously indicated as population at risk for mealworm allergy. Immunoblots showed a difference in IgE binding between processed and unprocessed mealworm extracts. However, this was due to change in solubility. Some allergens were soluble in urea buffer, but became more soluble in Tris buffer and vice versa. IgE binding was seen for all extracts in blot and basophil activation test. The results from 13 skin prick tests showed a skin reaction similar between processed and unprocessed mealworm. Conclusion: Thermal processing did not lower allergenicity but clearly changed solubility of mealworm allergens. A sequential extraction method allowed for assessment of a broader protein panel. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Subject
Life
FI - Functional Ingredients MSB - Microbiology and Systems Biology RAPID - Risk Analysis for Products in Development
ELSS - Earth, Life and Social Sciences
Biomedical Innovation
Biology
Healthy Living
Food allergy
Mealworm
Sequential extraction method
Solubility thermal processing
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201500138
TNO identifier
528433
ISSN
1613-4125
Source
Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, 59 (9), 1855-1864
Document type
article