Development of a simple and reliable high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approach to simultaneously detect grains specified in food allergen labeling regulation on processed food commodities

Development of a rapid and reliable method to simultaneously detect seven food allergens in processed foods using LC-MS/MS

Rapid analysis of multiple food allergens is required to confirm the appropriateness of food allergen labelling in processed foods. This study aimed to develop a rapid and reliable method to simultaneously detect trace amounts of seven food allergenic proteins (wheat, buckwheat, milk, egg, crustacean, peanut, and walnut) in processed foods using LC-MS/MS. Suspension-trapping (S-Trap) columns and on-line automated solid-phase extraction were used to improve the complex and time-consuming pretreatment process previously required for allergen analysis using LC-MS/MS. The developed method enabled the simultaneous detection of selected marker peptides for specific proteins derived from seven food ingredients in five types of incurred samples amended with trace amounts of allergenic proteins. The limit of detection values of the method for each protein were estimated to be <1 mg/kg. The developed analytical approach is considered an effective screening method for confirming food allergen labelling on a wide range of processed foods.

From bench to bedside: Platelet biomimetic nanoparticles as a promising carriers for personalized drug delivery

In recent decades, there has been a burgeoning interest in cell membrane coating strategies as innovative approach for targeted delivery systems in biomedical applications. Platelet membrane-coated nanoparticles (PNPs), in particular, are gaining interest as a new route for targeted therapy due to their advantages over conventional drug therapies. Their stepwise approach blends the capabilities of the natural platelet membrane (PM) with the adaptable nature of manufactured nanomaterials, resulting in a synergistic combination that enhances drug delivery and enables the development of innovative therapeutics. In this context, we present an overview of the latest advancements in designing PNPs with various structures tailored for precise drug delivery. Initially, we describe the types, preparation methods, delivery mechanisms, and specific advantages of PNPs. Next, we focus on three critical applications of PNPs in diseases: vascular disease therapy, cancer treatment, and management of infectious diseases. This review presents our knowledge of PNPs, summarizes their advancements in targeted therapies and discusses the promising potential for clinical translation of PNPs.

A systematic review on the recent advances of wheat allergen detection by mass spectrometry: future prospects

Wheat is one of the three major staple foods in the world. Although wheat is highly nutritional, it has a variety of allergenic components that are potentially fatal to humans and pose a significant hazard to the growth and consumption of wheat. Wheat allergy is a serious health problem, which is becoming more and more prevalent all over the world. To address and prevent related health risks, it is crucial to establish precise and sensitive detection and analytical methods as well as an understanding of the structure and sensitization mechanism of wheat allergens. Among various analytical tools, mass spectrometry (MS) is known to have high specificity and sensitivity. It is a promising non immune method to evaluate and quantify wheat allergens. In this article, the current research on the detection of wheat allergens based on mass spectrometry is reviewed. This review provides guidance for the further research on wheat allergen detection using mass spectrometry, and speeds up the development of wheat allergen research in China.

Allergenicity of wheat protein in diet: Mechanisms, modifications and challenges

Wheat is widely available in people's daily diets. However, some people are currently experiencing IgE-mediated allergic reactions to wheat-based foods, which seriously impact their quality of life. Thus, it is imperative to provide comprehensive knowledge and effective methods to reduce the risk of wheat allergy (WA) in food. In the present review, recent advances in WA symptoms, the major allergens, detection methods, opportunities and challenges in establishing animal models of WA are summarized and discussed. Furthermore, an updated overview of the different modification methods that are currently being applied to wheat-based foods is provided. This study concludes that future approaches to food allergen detection will focus on combining multiple tools to rapidly and accurately quantify individual allergens in complex food matrices. Besides, biological modification has many advantages over physical or chemical modification methods in the development of hypoallergenic wheat products, such as enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. It is worth noting that using biotechnology to edit wheat allergen genes to produce allergen-free food may be a promising method in the future which could improve the safety of wheat foods and the health of allergy sufferers.

Application of nano-antibiotics in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Thus, nanotechnology provides an excellent opportunity to treat drug-resistant microbial infections. Numerous antibiotics have been used to inhibit the growth and kill of microbes, but the development of resistance and the emergence of side effects have severely limited the use of these agents. Due to the development of the nanotechnology, nanoparticles are widely used as antimicrobials. Silver and chitosan nanoparticles have antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties, and many studies confirm the antifungal properties of silver nanoparticles. Nowadays, the use of nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases has developed due to less side effects and also the help of these particles in effective drug delivery to the target tissue. Liposomes are also used as carriers of drug delivery, genes, and modeling of cell membranes in both animals and humans. The ability of these liposomes to encapsulate large amounts of drugs, minimize unwanted side effects, high effectiveness and low toxicity has attracted the interest of researchers. This review article examines recent efforts by researchers to identify and treat infectious diseases using antimicrobial nanoparticles and drug nano-carriers.

Development of a simple and reliable LC-MS/MS method to simultaneously detect walnut and almond as specified in food allergen labelling regulations in processed foods

We developed a simple and reliable analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to simultaneously detect walnut and almond as specified in regulations for food allergen labelling in processed foods. Five specific target peptides derived from walnut 2S albumin and 7S globulin and three target peptides from almond 11S globulin were selected by analysing several varieties of walnut and almond, eight kinds of other nuts, and ten kinds of major allergen ingredients or cereals. The limit of detection for the walnut 2S albumin peptide GEEMEEMVQSAR (m/z 698.3 [precursor] > 316.1 [product]) was 0.22 ± 0.02 μg/g, and that for almond 11S globulin peptide GNLDFVQPPR (m/z 571.8 [precursor] > 369.2 [product]) was 0.08 ± 0.02 μg/g when extracted walnut and almond protein were spiked into butter cookie chocolate ice cream. These peptides had good linearity (R² > 0.999) for each calibration curve with a range of 0.1-50 μg/mL protein concentration in the sample solutions, and sufficient recovery rates (90.4-101.5%) from the spiked samples. The developed analytical approach is applicable to a wide variety of processed foods for food allergen labelling.

A spotlight on analytical prospects in food allergens: From emerging allergens and novel foods to bioplastics and plant-based sustainable food contact materials

The present review throws a spotlight on new and emerging food safety concerns in view of a well-established food allergen risk arising from global socio-economic changes, international trade, circular economy, environmental sustainability, and upcycling. Food culture globalization needs harmonization of regulations, technical specifications, and reference materials towards mutually recognised results. In parallel, routine laboratories require high-throughput reliable analytical strategies, even in-situ testing devices, to test both food products and food contact surfaces for residual allergens. Finally, the currently neglected safety issues associated to possible allergen exposure due to the newly proposed bio- and plant-based sustainable food contact materials require an in-depth investigation.

Japanese Food Allergy-Labeling System and Comparison with the International Experience; Detection and Thresholds

In the Japanese allergy-labeling system, food labeling is mandated for 7 specific ingredients (egg, cow's milk, wheat, buckwheat, peanut, shrimp, and crab) and recommended for 21 food ingredients in reference to case numbers of actual illness and the degree of seriousness. To monitor the validity of the labeling system, official methods for the detection of specific ingredient proteins in processed foods were developed. The official methods consist of ELISA methods for screening, and western blot methods for egg and milk, and PCR methods for wheat, buckwheat, peanut, shrimp/prawn, and crab as confirmation tests. The official methods consist of ELISA methods for screening, and western blot methods for egg and milk, and PCR methods for wheat, buckwheat, peanut, shrimp/prawn, and crab as confirmation tests. Threshold amounts (a few mg/kg) for labeling were set based on the approach of the analytical detections. Any foods containing protein allergens should be labeled if these contain allergens at greater than 10 ppm (mg/kg). Validation protocol criteria were established to standardize the Japanese official method. Food Safety Commission of Japan conducted a risk assessment of egg as a specific ingredient and judged that current labeling system for foods containing allergens is generally appropriate for "eggs". In the future, it is important to accumulate necessary scientific knowledge in order to carry out food health impact assessment including further refinement. The Japanese experience and knowledge of food allergy-labeling system would contribute to harmonize international labeling guidelines to protect allergic consumers globally.