Influence of cultivar and processing on cherry (Prunus avium) allergenicity

J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Dec 27;54(26):9930-5. doi: 10.1021/jf0622376.

Abstract

Oral allergy syndrome is an immediate food allergic event that affects lips, mouth, and pharynx, is often triggered by fruits and vegetables, and may be associated with pollinosis. Here, we report on the allergenic pattern of different varieties of cherry (Prunus avium) and results obtained by applying several technological processes to the selected varieties. Whole cherries were submitted to chemical peeling, thermal treatment, and syruping processes, and the relative protein extracts were analyzed by in vitro (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting analysis) and in vivo tests (skin prick test). Electrophoretic analyses demonstrated that there was no marked difference among cherry cultivars. Chemical peeling successfully removed Pru av 3, a lipid transfer protein (LTP) responsible for oral allergy syndrome in patients without pollinosis, leading to the industrial production of cherry hypoallergenic derivatives. Furthermore, the syruping process removed almost all allergenic proteins to whom patients with pollinosis are responsive. In vivo tests confirmed electrophoretic results.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Food Handling / methods*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / prevention & control
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Fruit / immunology*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Plant Proteins / analysis
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / immunology
  • Prunus / chemistry
  • Prunus / immunology*
  • Skin Tests
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Plant Proteins