Use of the FAO/WHO decision tree to identify allergenicity in a non-GM novel food

Lucas, J., Lewis, S., Grimshaw, K., Warner, J. and Hourihane, J. (2004) Use of the FAO/WHO decision tree to identify allergenicity in a non-GM novel food. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 34 (11), 1811-1811. (doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.2004.t01-1-02086.x).

Abstract

Background The WHO/FAO Decision Tree is recommended for the pre-marketing assessment of allergenicity of novel GM foods. Gold kiwi is of the same genus but green kiwi is a different species. The Decision Tree was used to assess the allergenicity of gold kiwias an example of a non-GM novel food, ‘derived’ from anallergenic source (green kiwi).

Methods
Kiwi proteins were separated by 2D gel and de novosequences obtained by ESI Nano-Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry. Sequence homology between the amino acidsin the major protein (Actinidin) of green kiwi and proteins in gold kiwi was assessed. Sera from subjects with confirmed allergy togreen kiwi were used to screen for cross-reactivity to gold kiwi andfive subjects underwent skin testing and double-blinded placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) with fresh gold kiwi.

Results
Actinidin (mw, 30 kDa; pI 3) was absent from gold kiwi on the 2D gels. Sequence homology suggests that a gold kiwiprotein of 30 kDa and pI8 is an isoform of Actinidin. Western blotting with green kiwi-allergic sera confirms the immunogenicityof gold kiwi. DBPCFC confirmed allergenicity of gold kiwi in fourof five subjects.

Conclusions
Using the WHO/FAO Decision Tree gold kiwishould be classified as an allergenic novel food.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Author: J. Lucas

Download statistics