Newswise — Food allergies pose significant health risks, affecting millions worldwide, with the prevalence rising over the past decades. Traditional detection methods, such as monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, are often costly, labor-intensive, and prone to cross-reactions. The need for accurate, efficient, and cost-effective allergen detection methods is more pressing than ever.
Due to these challenges, there is a growing interest in exploring new detection strategies. Based on these challenges, it is essential to conduct in-depth research to develop advanced detection techniques that can better safeguard public health. Researchers from Tianjin Key Laboratory of Food Science and Health, Nankai University, China have made significant strides in this field.
Their review (DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyae018) , published on March 28, 2024, in the journal Food Quality and Safety , introduces the use of nanobodies for food allergen surveillance, potentially revolutionizing the way we detect and manage food allergies. The study highlights the advantages of nanobodies over traditional antibodies in food allergen detection.
Derived from camelid heavy-chain antibodies, nanobodies are small, stable, and highly specific, making them ideal for robust immunoassays. They minimize cross-reactions and effectively detect allergens like macadamia, peanut, lupin, and milk proteins. A key highlight is their ability to target conformational epitopes, offering higher precision in allergen detection,.
