Food Allergen Detection, Identification and Risk Assessment

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Quality and Safety".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 11 June 2025 | Viewed by 1677

Special Issue Editor

School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
Interests: food proteins; food peptides; food allergens
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The prevalence of food allergies has been on the rise globally, affecting a significant portion of the population, particularly children. These allergies can range from mild to life-threatening and are triggered by proteins known as allergens present in certain foods. The detection, identification, and risk assessment of these allergens are crucial for the safety and well-being of consumers, especially those with allergies. Recent advancements in molecular biology, immunology, and analytical chemistry have led to the development of more sensitive and specific methods for allergen detection and identification. Techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and mass spectrometry (MS) have been instrumental in this progress. Additionally, the understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind allergic reactions has deepened, allowing for more targeted risk assessments.

Since the detection and identification of allergens are critical for the development of effective strategies to mitigate the risks associated with food allergies, this Special Issue seeks to consolidate and disseminate knowledge in the following areas: the development of novel and accurate methods for detecting and identifying allergenic substances in the food matrix; application of advanced technologies, such as nanotechnology and biosensors, in allergen detection; exploration of the molecular and immunological basis of allergenicity to improve diagnostic capabilities; assessment of the allergenic risk throughout the food supply chain, from production to consumption; analysis of the impact of food processing techniques on the allergenic potential of foods; developing and validating models to predict the risk of allergic reactions; and presenting findings from clinical trials on allergen exposure and reactions.

This Special Issue aims to consider original research articles, reviews, and case studies that contribute to the understanding and management of food allergens. We encourage submissions from a wide range of disciplines, including, but not limited to, the following: food science, immunology, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and public health.

Dr. Shudong He
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • food allergens
  • allergen detection
  • allergen identification
  • risk assessment
  • food safety
  • allergenicity
  • allergen management
  • food processing
  • clinical studies
  • immunology

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 3678 KiB  
Article
Development of a Novel Electrochemical Immunosensor for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Sesame Allergens Ses i 4 and Ses i 5
by Huimei Li, Tian’ge Pan, Shudong He, Hanju Sun, Xiaodong Cao and Yongkang Ye
Foods 2025, 14(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14010115 - 3 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1236
Abstract
Due to their lipophilicity and low content, the major sesame oleosin allergens, Ses i 4 and Ses i 5, are challenging to identify using conventional techniques. Then, a novel unlabeled electrochemical immunosensor was developed to detect the potential allergic activity of sesame oleosins. [...] Read more.
Due to their lipophilicity and low content, the major sesame oleosin allergens, Ses i 4 and Ses i 5, are challenging to identify using conventional techniques. Then, a novel unlabeled electrochemical immunosensor was developed to detect the potential allergic activity of sesame oleosins. The voltammetric immunosensor was constructed using a composite of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which was synthesized in a one-pot process and modified onto a glass carbon electrode to enhance the catalytic current of the oxygen reduction reaction. The oleosin antibody was then directed and immobilized onto the surface of the electrode, which had been modified with streptavidin (SPA), through the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of the antibody. Under optimized conditions, the immunosensor exhibited a linear response within a detection range of 50 to 800 ng/L, with detection limits of 0.616 ng/L for Ses i 4 and 0.307 ng/L for Ses i 5, respectively. The immunosensor demonstrated excellent selectivity and stability, making it suitable for the quantification of sesame oleosins. The comparative analysis of various detection methods for sesame allergens was conducted, revealing that the immunosensor achieved a wide detection range and low limit of detection (LOD). Compared to traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the immunosensor successfully quantified the allergenicity potential of Ses i 4 and Ses i 5 in roasted sesame seeds at temperatures of 120 °C, 150 °C, and 180 °C. This innovative method offers a new perspective for the rapid quantification of sesame oleosins in foods and real-time monitoring of allergic potential, providing significant advancements in the field of food allergy detection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Allergen Detection, Identification and Risk Assessment)
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