Quantification of the thaumatin-like kiwi allergen by a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA

Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) have been established as a new family of fruit and pollen allergens. The aim of this study was to develop a two-site ELISA for the quantification of the thaumatin-like kiwi allergen (Act d 2) in kiwifruit extracts and kiwifruit-containing food products. Genomic DNA (gDNA) of Act d 2 was amplified and the deduced amino acid sequence was determined to obtain a primary structure. Act d 2 purified from kiwifruit extract by HPLC was identified by Edman degradation and MS. Balb/c mice were immunized with Act d 2 for the production of mAbs by hybridoma technology. The optimized ELISA measured Act d 2 concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 9.0 ng/mL, with intra- and interassay coefficients of variation of 3.65 and 10.44%, respectively. The developed ELISA is a useful method for the quantification of the thaumatin-like kiwi allergen in kiwifruit extracts as well as the allergen level in kiwifruit-containing food products. It may be a helpful analytical tool for the evaluation of the stability (integrity) of fruit allergen extracts for in vitro diagnosis.