Evolution of the allergenic potential in peach and nectarine fruits during ripening
Botton A., Vegro M., De Franceschi F., Gemignani C., Marcer G., Pasini G. and Tonutti P.
5th International Postharvest Symposium . Volume of Abstract . Verona, Italy 6-11 June 2004, 143 p.
2004
บทคัดย่อ
Evolution of the allergenic potential in peach and nectarine fruits during ripening.
According to recent epidemiological studies, food allergies enhanced during recent decades in many countries.Allergies to fruits represent also an increasing problem and studies should be addressed to produce hypoallergenic fruits.In peach the major allergen has been identified as a Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP) and in the present research the evolution of the allergenic potential of different peach and nectarine varieties has been monitored throughout ripening and in relation to postharvest treatments.Fruits of peach cv Royal Gemm, Zorzi, of nectarine cv Rita star, Early Giant and Mariadorata, and of flat type (Platicaarpa), were harvested in correspondence of commercial ripeness (T0) and maintained in air for few days at room temperature to reach the full ripe stage or at 4 °C for 3 weeks.Treatments with propylene were also performed.Northern blot analyses were carried out on total RNA extracted from epicarp and mesocarp to study Pp-LTP1 gene expression.Immunological studies were performed by means of a polyclonal antibody raised against the purified protein.Expression analysis showed that Pp-LTP1 transcripts accumulated only in the epicarp.With the exception of cv Rita Star the strongest accumulations have been detected in epicarp of all varieties at T0.A decreasing trend of expression was observed in all fruits kept in air and at 4 °C, but not in Platicarpa.Excluding Mariadorata fruits, propylene treatment did not appear to affect Pp-LTP1 gene expression.Western blots revealed the presence of LTP only in epicarp of all varieties, but not in Rita Star, and showed that the protein markedly increased in full ripe fruits maintained in air; this might indicate the presence of a lag between gene transcription and accumulation of secreted functional LTP.According to these results, Rita Star appears to be a variety with a low allergenic potential.