2 research outputs found
Development of an Optimized ELISA and a Sample Preparation Method for the Detection of beta-Lactoglobulin Traces in Baby Foods
Dairy products can induce allergic reactions even when present at very low levels, such as levels
found in involuntary contamination during food manufacturing. β-Lactoglobulin (βLG) is the main
allergen in cow’s milk. The objective of this work was to develop a sensitive method for βLG
detection in baby foods through the optimization of an innovative sample preparation method. Three
types of baby foods deliberately contaminated with dairy products or dairy desserts were sterilized to
simulate the potential contamination occurring during manufacturing and then used as samples.
Different sample preparation methods were compared. The best results were provided by an
extraction solution containing β-mercaptoethanol, guanidine hydrochloride, and a saline solution. An
ELISA method was optimized for the detection of βLG (LOD = 9.7 10 -13 M). The developed
method allowed detection of even 1 part of dairy product in 100,000 parts of baby food for some of
the analyzed foods.Peer reviewe