Reduction of allergenic properties of shrimp (Penaeus Vannamei) allergens by high intensity ultrasound

The tropomyosin fraction of shrimp proteins is potentially responsible for an allergic reaction in individuals with a genetic predisposition to allergy. However, there are no efficient and safe methods to reduce its allergenicity. High-intensity ultrasound is known to change the structure of proteins. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of high-intensity ultrasound on the IgE-binding capacity of shrimp protein extracts (PE) and of major shrimp allergen Pen a 1(tropomyosin). Peeled shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) muscle was sealed in a plastic bag and treated with high-intensity ultrasound (30 Hz, 800 W) for 1.5 h at 0 and 50 degrees C, respectively; others were treated with boiling water for 15 min. Then PE and Pen a 1 were made with treated shrimp muscle. The allergenicity of PE and purified allergen from different-treated shrimp were analyzed by the enzyme allergosorbent test (EAST) and competitive inhibition ELISA (Ci-ELISA) using sera of 15 shrimp-allergic patients. PE from high-intensity ultrasonic treatment at 50 degrees C (treated 2) shrimp was 2.2-fold, 2.5-fold lower respectively than that of untreated shrimp and high-intensity ultrasonic treatment at 0 degrees C (treated 1) shrimp. While PE from heated (treated 3) shrimp was 1.2-fold lower than that of untreated shrimp. The (Concentration of the different-treated sample that inhibit 50% of the IgE binding to coated untreated sample) IC50 ratios of Pen a 1 prepared from treated 2 shrimp, treated 1 shrimp and treated 3 shrimp to untreated shrimp were 1/15, 1/1.1 and 1/1, respectively. The results suggest that high-intensity ultrasound at 50 degrees C may reduce the allergenicity of shrimp.