Immunogenicity evaluation of protein hydrolysates for hypoallergenic infant formulae

Casein and soy protein were enzymatically hydrolyzed for potential use in a hypoallergenic infant formula. To assess the relative immunoreactivity of the hydrolysates, rabbits were immunized with either the intact proteins or the protein hydrolysates using a vigorous immunization protocol. Serum samples were tested using ELISA methods that quantitated IgG antibody specific for the immunizing protein hydrolysates and the corresponding intact proteins. The results showed that the protein hydrolysates had substantially lower immunogenicity than the parent proteins. Also, antibody specific for the parent protein showed very low cross-reactivity with the hydrolysates. Both of the protein hydrolysates seem to be promising candidates for use in hypoallergenic infant feeding systems.