Fluorescence‐based quantitative platform for ultrasensitive food allergen detection: From immunoassays to DNA sensors

Abstract

Food allergies are global health issue with an increasing prevalence that affect food safety; hence, food allergen detection, labeling, and management are considered to be important priorities in the food industry. In this critical review, we provide a comprehensive overview of several fluorescence-based platforms based on different biorecognition ligands, such as antibodies, DNA, aptamers, and cells, for food allergen quantification. Traditional analytical methods are generally unsuitable for food manufacturers to accomplish the real-time identification of food allergens in food products. Therefore, it is important to develop simple, rapid, inexpensive, accurate, and sensitive methods to improve user accessibility. A fluorescence-based quantitative platform provides an excellent detection platform for food allergens because of its high sensitivity. This review summarizes the traditional antibody-based fluorescent techniques for food allergen detection, such as the time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay , immunofluorescence imaging, fluorescence enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay, flow injection fluoroimmunoassay, and fluorescence immunosensors. However, these methods suffer from disadvantages such as the significant rate of false-positive and false-negative results due to antibody cross-reactivity with nontarget food components in the complex food matrix and epitope degradation during food processing. Hence, different types of fluorescence-based immunoassays are suitable for standardization and quantification of allergens in fresh foods. In addition, we summarize new fluorescence-based quantitative platforms, including fluorescence genosensors, fluorescence cell sensors, and fluorescence aptamer sensors. With the advantages of high sensitivity and simple operation, fluorescence biosensors will have great potential in the future and could provide portable methods for multiallergen real-time detection in complex food systems.

Establishment of a 3-Dimensional Intestinal Cell Model to Simulate the Intestinal Mucosal Immune System for Food Allergy Investigations

“…Trypsin-treated CMT93 cells were seeded on permeable transwell insert with 0.4 mm pore polyester membranes (Corning, USA) in a 12-well plate, after cultured at 37°C with 5% CO 2 in DMEM (containing 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% penicillin-streptomycin solution) medium for the indicated time, and the resistance value was determined by a Millicell ERS-2 electrical resistance system (Millipore, USA). TEER was calculated according to the following formula: TEER = (Rs-R0) Â 0:66 cm 2 Where Rs is the resistance value of the sample, and R0 is the resistance value of the blank (medium without cell).…”

“…In recent years, an increasing number of people are suffering from food allergies, with about 8% of children and 4% of adults having allergies to one or more foods ( 1 , 2 ). The main allergic reactions to food are attributed only to a limited variety of proteins, which are considered the main allergens ( 3 ).…”

Methodological Approaches for Monitoring Five Major Food Safety Hazards Affecting Food Production in the Galicia–Northern Portugal Euroregion

“…Other analytical technologies are under development, but with scarce commercial presence. These include surface plasmon resonance (SPR) [ 127 , 128 , 129 ] electrochemical affinity biosensors [ 130 ]; the use of MIPs [ 131 ], biosensors, and nanoparticles, such as gold, carbon, and graphene [ 132 ]; and fluorescence-based methodologies [ 133 ]. The use of biosensors is an appealing alternative to instrumental analysis in food control, although there are currently few, if any, commercial applications for allergen control.…”

Aptamer-Based Fluorescent Biosensor for the Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Allergens in Food Matrices

“…Fluorescence detection technology, due to its low cost, high sensitivity, simple performance, has attracted wide attention [25][26][27]. Combining fluorescence detection technology with aptamers, the development of biosensors with high sensitivity and simple detection procedures provides a feasible strategy for the detection of food allergens [28]. Aptamer-based fluorescence sensing detection is a relatively common analysis method.…”