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Multiplexed Fluorescent Microarray for Human Salivary Protein Analysis Using Polymer Microspheres and Fiber-optic Bundles
Published on: October 10, 2013
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Simultaneous quantification of specific food allergen proteins using a fluorescent multiplex array
Stephanie C Filep1, Kristina Reid Black1, Bryan R E Smith1
1InBio, Food Science Group, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA.
Food Chemistry
|May 15, 2022
Summary
This study developed a fluorescent multiplex array for detecting 10 regulated food allergens simultaneously. This efficient tool aids in food allergen risk assessment and therapeutic product standardization.
Area of Science:
- Food Science and Technology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Accurate quantification of food allergens is crucial for consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
- Existing methods for food allergen detection can be time-consuming and may not cover a broad range of allergens simultaneously.
- The need for efficient, simultaneous detection of multiple regulated food allergens is increasing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a fluorescent multiplex array for the simultaneous measurement of regulated food allergens.
- To assess the array's performance using specific allergen protein molecules and reference materials.
- To demonstrate the array's applicability in analyzing incurred allergens in complex food matrices.
Main Methods:
- Development of a fluorescent multiplex array utilizing microspheres coupled to specific monoclonal antibodies.
- Detection of 17 allergens across 10 food categories including peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame, mustard, and celery.
- Validation using purified allergens as reference standards, establishing standard curves over a 5-log dynamic range and assessing assay performance criteria (70-130% recovery, ≤15% CV).
Main Results:
- The multiplex array demonstrated reliable quantification of 17 allergens with established dynamic range and acceptable intra- and inter-assay variability.
- Analysis of food reference materials confirmed high levels of major allergens (2000-175,000 µg/g).
- Detection of specific allergens (egg, milk, peanut, hazelnut, walnut) in chocolate bars at low parts-per-million (ppm) levels (3-100 ppm) with incurred allergens.
Conclusions:
- The developed fluorescent multiplex array is an efficient and sensitive tool for the simultaneous measurement of multiple regulated food allergens.
- The array shows significant potential for applications in food safety risk assessment.
- This method can contribute to the standardization of therapeutic products for food allergies.
