Analysis of the potential allergenicity of traditional apple cultivars by Multiplex Biochip-Based Immunoassay

Few apple cultivars are widespread in the markets worldwide. The characterisation of cultivars available only in local markets could reveal fruits with sufficiently low amounts of allergens to be tolerated by at least some allergic subjects. This study was focused on the characterisation of 10 ancient and 2 widespread apple cultivars cultivated in Southern Italy. Pomological characterisation showed good sensory features and high manipulation resistance for most of the selected ancient cultivars. Individual patterns of allergenic components were obtained when IgE. IgG and IgG4 inhibition tests were performed on a multiplexed allergen microarray, using sera from allergic subjects as probes. Results obtained allow the selection of potentially hypo- or hyper-allergenic apple cultivars. In addition, this study describes a possible use of allergen microarray technology to quickly investigate the potential allergenicity of specific foods that, after additional tests, can be considered for the inclusion in the diet of individual allergic subjects. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.