| ALLERGEN TESTING |
| It is estimated that one in three of the total UK population (almost 20 million) will develop an allergy at some point in their lives (Royal College of Physicians June 03). Potential causes include food, insect bites, drugs and latex. A food allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. Once the immune system decides that a particular food is harmful, it creates specific antibodies to it. |
| The next time the individual eats that food, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, including histamine, in order to protect the body. These chemicals trigger a cascade of allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system. |
| The most common causes (accounting for >90%) of food allergies
are: Peanut and nut, milk, eggs, seeds (such as sesame) fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. |
| GLUTEN | ||
| Quantitative or semi- quantitative | Lower of quantification / detection | Proteins detected / Antibody (AB) raised to |
| Quantitative ELISA plate | 10ppm lod | AB reacts with the gliadin fraction from wheat, corresponding prolamins from rye and barley (100%) and in small amounts from oats |
| MILK | ||
| Quantitative or semi- quantitative | Lower limit of quantification / detection | Proteins detected / Antibody (AB) raised to |
| CASEIN | ||
| Quantitative ELISA plate | <5ppm lod | For the detection of (predominantly) bovine casein and caseinates in foods containing milk/milk products |
| Quantitative ELISA plate | 2.5-15ppm loq | Although some whey may be detectable with this test, it is intended to be used for the exclusive detection of casein |
| ß-LACTOGLOBULIN | ||
| Quantitative ELISA plate | <7.5ppm lod | For the analysis of ß-lactoglobulin (100%) in whey proteins and whey protein containing products as well as fragments of ß-lactoglobulin in hydrolysed or ß-lactoglobulin poor whey proteins |
| BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN | ||
| Quantitative ELISA | plate <10ppm lod | For the detection of bovine serum albumin (96.9%) in foods containing milk/ milk products |
| NUTS / SEEDS | ||
| Quantitative or semi- quantitative | Lower limit of quantification / detection | Proteins detected / Antibody (AB) raised to |
| PEANUT | ||
| Quantitative ELISA plate | <0.1ppm lod | For the analysis of peanut protein (Conarachin-A) |
| ALMOND | ||
| Quantitative ELISA plate | 2.5-25ppm loq | AB raised to total almond potein |
| HAZELNUT | ||
| Quantitative ELISA plate | 10ppm lod | Hazelnut allergens |
| SESAME | ||
| Quantitative ELISA plate | <1ppm lod | Sesame storage proteins |
| SOYA | ||
| Quantitative or semi- quantitative | Lower limit of quantification / detection | Proteins detected / Antibody (AB) raised to |
| Quantitative ELISA plate | <0.5% lod | Soya proteins |
| HISTAMINE | ||
| Quantitative or semi- quantitative | Lower limit of quantification / detection | Proteins detected / Antibody (AB) raised to |
| Quantitative ELISA plate dependent on sample type | 0.5 - 2.5 ppm lod | Specific to Histamine |
| EGG | ||
| Quantitative or semi- quantitative | Lower limit of quantification / detection | Proteins detected / Antibody (AB) raised to |
| WHOLE EGG | ||
| Quantitative ELISA plate | 2.5-15ppm loq | Whole egg |
| EGG WHITE | ||
| Quantitative ELISA plate | 5ppm lod | Egg white proteins |
| NUT ALLERGY - A CASE STUDY |
| THE CHALLENGE |
| Our client had received reports that a consumer known to have a severe peanut allergy, had been hospitalised following an anaphylactic reaction. The food item implicated as the cause of the attack, was that of our client. Immediate testing was required to verify the presence or absence of peanut proteins in the food samples concerned. |
| THE SOLUTION |
| Samples were immediately delivered to Premier Analytical Services. In line with the customer's immediate concerns a qualitative test for peanut protein was conducted. Some five hours later, when all samples but one tested negative for the presence of peanut proteins, additional samples relevant to the one which had already tested positive were submitted for further investigation using quantitative techniques. |
| THE RESULT |
| The evidence provided by Premier Analytical Services enabled our client to identify the source of the peanut contamination. The supplier involved addressed the problem and is continuing to submit samples for testing to ensure products remain peanut free. On this occasion a product recall was not necessitated but labelling modifications were carried out. |
| THE SECRET |
|
Premier Analytical Services has remained abreast of emerging tests and methodologies. We have been able to respond rapidly and professionally to the immediate needs of our clients by having the peanut protein detection kits set-up and fully validated. |
