Allergen Detection Methods

Allergen tests are divided into two groups: Protein tests and DNA tests. Protein tests are divided into two groups, which are immunoanalytical methods and protein separation methods. The immunoanalytical tests are often used in the food industry to detect the amount of allergens present in food. Protein separation methods are mostly used to identify allergens. DNA-based tests take longer and personnel must be trained in DNA handling. DNA-based tests are very stable and highly specific.

ELISA

ELISA tests detect peanuts and hazelnuts.

Allergen analysis tests often use enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). This test is relatively fast for allergen detection and quantification and falls under the category of protein detection tests. The ELISA tests are often used in food industry laboratories and by official food-control bodies. Food-control bodies handle food safety and process control. ELISA tests are used under the auspices of food-control bodies. ELISA test kits detect common allergens in foods. ELISA tests identify peanut and hazelnut in cereals, ice cream and chocolate.

Lateral Flow Devices (LFD)

Lateral flow devices are protein detection tests that are primarily used outside of food laboratories to monitor things like food processing lines to ensure that there are no allergens present when a food containing allergens is processed in the same plant with items that do not contain allergens. This test is particularly useful when a rapid result is needed or only a few samples are necessary and assists in cross-contamination prevention.

Mass-Spectrometry (MS)

Mass-spectrometry tests are relatively new, so their use is limited due to high equipment costs and the needs for specialist expertise. This test is a protein detection tests, but it is comparable to the DNA method testing because it provides information on sequence and therefore has a considerable chance to provide an alternative to traditional methods. Less time and samples are taken when a DNA sequence can be identified by a test. The system can scan for the components of the allergen. The mass-spectrometry tests can actually detect protein and allergen contamination at low levels. Mass-spectrometry tests require less user involvement.

PCR

DNA tests are more stable.

Polymerase chain reaction or PCR tests are a suitable choice if the ELISA test is not available. The downside of DNA-based tests is that they cannot detect or measure the actual hazard and they do not tolerate low pH levels. This is the point of some controversy as most proteins are the allergenic component. The nucleic acids and proteins that are processed for DNA testing can be damaged and/or adversely affected.