The detection, analysis, and quantification of individual celiac disease (CD) immune responsive gluten proteins in wheat and related cereals (barley, rye) require an adequate and reliable extraction protocol. Because different types of gluten proteins behave differently in terms of solubility, currently different extraction protocols exist. The performance of various documented gluten extraction protocols is evaluated for specificity and completeness by gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), immunoblotting and RIDASCREEN Gliadin competitive ELISA. Based on these results, an optimized, two-step extraction protocol has been developed.