Immunochemical probes for food proteins after heat processing

While better hygiene controls and vaccinations have diminished the occurrence of infectious diseases in humans, food-borne diseases have increased. Thus sterilization of food products is of prime importance. The introduction of new technologies applied to food has necessitated new methods for the control of food safety and food quality. This review aims to point out the importance of immunochemistry in the identification of structural changes induced in food proteins during food processing. New technologies have introduced the use of additives in food products, therefore it is important to identify and quantify such additives, even after complete hear denaturation. Toxic chemicals, toxins and pesticides which can contaminate food products before or during processing should also be identified. Finally, the use of immunochemical tests as a control of sterilization procedures in heterogeneous foodstuffs is discussed.