Evaluation of the impact of sequential microwave/ultrasound processing on the IgE binding properties of Pru p 3 in treated peach juice

Peach lipid transfer protein (LTP) can cause severe allergic reactions to peach-allergic patients. It belongs to the nonspecific LTPs family, a class of proteins extremely resistant both to proteolytic digestion and to high temperatures. Food processing can either drop or increase the allergenicity, depending on the process and on the food. As far as peach-derived products (pulp, juice) are concerned, it has been previously shown how thermal treatment performed in an autoclave does not decrease LTP allergenicity. In this work, it was attempted to investigate whether sequential microwave and ultrasound processing could affect the allergenicity of peach juice. Incubation with specific anti-Pru p 3 serum showed how treating peach peel with microwave at 140 °C and with ultrasound does not eliminate Pru p 3 IgE binding properties. The application of MW/US protocol on peach pulp appeared to be insufficient for the reduction of IgE binding to Pru p 3.