Novel approach based on single-tube nested real-time PCR to detect almond allergens in foods

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Joana Costa (Author) Other; Maria Beatriz P P Oliveira (Author) FFUP; Isabel Mafra (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Food Research International

Vol. 51

Pages: 228-235

ISSN: 0963-9969

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 15 Citations

Scopus - 18 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Agrarian Sciences > Other Agrarian Sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-26V

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2012.12.006

Abstract (EN): Almond is a widely consumed nut due to its pleasant flavour and health benefits. However, since this nut is commonly present in many processed foods, it is regarded as a potential hidden allergen. In this work, the novel single-tube nested real-time PCR system, already successfully applied to hazelnut and peanut detection, was attempted to trace almond allergens in foods. The method consists of using two sets of primers and a hydrolysis probe specifically designed to target Prunus dulcis clone 276NPL prunin gene that encodes the Pm du 6 allergen. The system allowed lowering the limit of detection of the conventional real-time PCR from 100 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg of almond spiked in walnut. It also enabled an absolute sensitivity of 1.28 pg of almond DNA that corresponds to about 3.9 DNA copies. These results highlight the suitability of the newly developed method for the detection of almond allergens in processed foods. To our knowledge, these findings were never reported and represent a great achievement when considering the detection of this almond allergen in food products.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8