Sensitive and selective detection of peanut allergen Ara h 1 by ELISA and lateral flow immunoassay

Authors: Hnasko, Robert; Lin, Alice; McGarvey, Jeffery - Jeff; Mattison, Chris

Submitted to: Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/6/2022
Publication Date: 7/8/2022
Citation: Hnasko, R.M., Lin, A.V., McGarvey, J.A., Mattison, C.P. 2022. Sensitive and selective detection of peanut allergen Ara h 1 by ELISA and lateral flow immunoassay. Food Chemistry. 396. Article 133657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133657.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133657

Interpretive Summary: Peanut allergies afflict a significant population of U.S. consumers. In sensitive people, the consumption of food product containing an undeclared peanut allergen can result in a health crisis. Control strategies during food production are designed to prevent peanut protein contamination in finished food product. However, process improvements are needed to reduce the incidence of food product recall as a result of undeclared peanut allergen. Testing for peanut allergens during food manufacturing can improve product labeling and ensure safe foods for allergic consumers. Scientists at the ARS have developed sensitive and selective tests for the rapid detection of the peanut protein allergen Ara h 1. These tests provide useful technologies to monitor for peanut contamination in food product from the farm to the fork.

Technical Abstract: Peanuts are allergens and their widespread use in food production necessitates control strategies to ensure safe food for allergic consumers. The Ara h 1 protein is a major peanut allergen, abundant in the edible seed, its detection provides a useful measure of peanut content in food product. In this manuscript, we describe the generation of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the Ara h 1 protein and their development into sensitive and selective immunoassays for peanut detection. Our enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detects a peanut meal standard with a sensitivity of ~10 ng/mL and a log-linear dose response between 20-0.05 µg/mL. In lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), the limit of detection for peanut meal was ~500 ng/mL in 5 minutes using a visual gold reporter with a log-linear range between 5-0.1 µg/mL using digital test strip interrogation. Specificity of detection was limited to peanut varieties, irrespective of processing method, and MAb Ara h 1 binding epitopes identified. Peanut allergen detection during food manufacturing can limit the incidence of product recall resulting from cross-contact contamination or undeclared ingredient in finished food product. Ara h 1 detection by LFIA may provide a cost-effective method for rapid surveillance of peanut during food production and prior to consumption.