Unsuspected Lupin Allergens Hidden in Food

Vol. 141, No. 1, 2006

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Original Paper

Unsuspected Lupin Allergens Hidden in Food
B. Rojas-Hijazo^a, M.M. Garcés^a, M.L. Caballero^b, P. Alloza^c, I. Moneo^b

^aServicio Alergología, Hospital Clinico Universitario, Zaragoza,
^bServicio Inmunología, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, and
^cServicio Alergología, Hospital General Yagüe, Burgos, Spain

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2006;141:47-50 (DOI: 10.1159/000094181)

Key Words

Hidden allergens
Lupin
Food allergy

Abstract

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. Aims: 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.

Author Contacts

Correspondence to: Dr. Beatriz Rojas
Hospital Clinico Universitario, Servicio Alergología
C/El Columpio, 7, casa (Parque Goya I)
ES-50015 Zaragoza (Spain)
Tel. +34 63770 2432, Fax +34 94125 4582, E-Mail rojashijazo@yahoo.es

Article Information

Received: December 8, 2005
Accepted after revision: March 23, 2006
Published online: June 27, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 12

Medline Abstract (ID 16804325)

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