Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E sIgE
Published on: April 21, 2019
Microbead-based simultaneous fluorometric detection of three nut allergens
Spyridoula Christopoulou1, Sofia Karaiskou1, Despina P Kalogianni2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26504, Patras, GR, Greece.
Abstract:
A microbead-based method is developed for the detection of three nut allergens that can occur in food. The bead array constitutes of a suspension of spectrally distinct fluorescent polystyrene microbeads and has been applied for the simultaneous detection of three main and serious allergens (hazelnut, peanut and walnut). The method is based on the simultaneous identification of specific DNA sequences after PCR. The PCR products are biotinylated and hybridized to nut-specific oligonucleotide probes attached to the microbeads. The hybrids are finally detected by a streptavidin-phycoerythrin conjugate and flow cytometric analysis. As low as 0.01% content of the three nuts in processed food (cookies) can be detected by this method. Graphical abstract Schematic of a method for simultaneous fluorometric detection of three nut allergens in processed food (cookies) based on the use of fluorescent microbeads and flow cytometric analysis. B: Biotin; SA-PE: Streptavidin conjugated to phycoerythrin.
Related Concept Videos
Base Excision Repair
The first step of...
Detection of Gross Error: The Q Test
Lewis Acids and Bases
A coordinate covalent bond (or dative bond) occurs when one of the atoms in the bond provides both bonding electrons. For example, a coordinate covalent bond occurs when a water molecule combines with a hydrogen ion to form a hydronium ion. A coordinate covalent bond also results when...
Weak Base Solutions
Ions as Acids and Bases
Salts are ionic compounds composed of cations and anions, either of which may be capable of undergoing an acid or base ionization reaction with water. Aqueous salt solutions, therefore, may be acidic, basic, or neutral, depending on the relative acid-base strengths of the salt’s constituent ions. For example, dissolving the ammonium chloride in water results in its dissociation, as described by the equation:
DNA Base Pairing

