Detection of Food Allergens by Taqman Real-Time PCR Methodology.

Real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) has shown to be a very effective technology for the detection of food allergens. The protocol described herein consists on a real-time PCR assay targeting the plant ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region, using species-specific primers and hydrolysis probes (Taqman) dual labeled with a reporter fluorophore at the 5' end (6-carboxyfluorescein, […]

B-vitamins, carotenoids and α-/γ-tocopherol in raw and roasted nuts

The concentrations of B-vitamins, carotenoids and tocopherols in nuts may differ between species and might be influenced by roasting. Thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene and α-/γ-tocopherol were determined in different varieties of raw and roasted nuts using HPLC (fluorescence/UV-vis detection). The analysis revealed remarkable concentrations of thiamine and pyridoxine in pistachios (57%, 79% of […]

Determination of acrylamide in dried fruits and edible seeds using QuEChERS extraction and LC separation with MS detection.

Acrylamide is a carcinogenic and neurotoxic process contaminant that is generated from food components during heat treatment, while it is absent in raw foodstuffs. Its level in food arouses great concern. A method for acrylamide extraction and determination in dried fruits (dried prunes and raisins) and edible seeds (almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pine nuts, pistachios, and […]

Threshold Dose Distribution in Walnut Allergy.

BACKGROUND: In food allergy, eliciting doses (EDs) of foods on a population level can improve risk management and labeling strategies for the food industry and regulatory authorities. Previously, data available for walnut were unsuitable to determine EDs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine EDs for walnut allergic adults and to compare with […]

Association of tree nut and coconut sensitization.

BACKGROUND: Coconut (Cocos nucifera), despite being a drupe, was added to the US Food and Drug Administration list of tree nuts in 2006, causing potential confusion regarding the prevalence of coconut allergy among tree nut allergic patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sensitization to tree nuts is associated with increased odds of coconut sensitization. METHODS: A […]

Development of walnut dehulling machine and assessment of its performance using Ethephon and Tween-80 as pre-treatments for hull loosening.

A power- driven walnut dehulling machine was developed and tested. The machine was evaluated for dehulling after applying Ethephon and Tween-80 to green walnuts by dip and spray methods. The results showed that with the increase in dipping time and post dipping/spraying time, the effective throughput capacity, dehulling efficiency and fully dehulled walnut percentage increased, […]

Influence of a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern on Body Fat Distribution: Results of the PREDIMED-Canarias Intervention Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of a Mediterranean dietary pattern (MeDiet) on anthropometric and body composition parameters in one of the centers of the PREDIMED randomized dietary trial. SUBJECTS/SETTINGS: 351 Canarian free-living subjects aged 55 to 80 years, with type 2 diabetes or ≥3 cardiovascular risk factors. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to one of […]

A retrospect study into the utility of allergen components in walnut allergy.

Walnut (Juglans regia) and Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) are members of the Juglandaceae family. Walnut and pecan appear similar and share high protein homology with the result that most walnut allergic individuals are also allergic to pecan nut. Walnut is a common allergy in tree nut allergic individuals in the United States and the United Kingdom […]

Consumption of Walnuts in Combination with Other Whole Foods Produces Physiologic, Metabolic, and Gene Expression Changes in Obese C57BL/6J High-Fat-Fed Male Mice.

BACKGROUND: Although a reductionist approach has sought to understand the roles of individual nutrients and biochemicals in foods, it has become apparent that there can be differences when studying food components in isolation or within the natural matrix of a whole food. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the ability of whole-food […]