Allergenic and antigenic activity of cow milk substitutes by ELISA and basophil-activation assays

We conducted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and basophil-activation assay in order to investigate the presence of allergens in selected cow milk (CM) substitutes. Our results showed the presence of residual antigenicity and allergenicity. The cross-reactivity between proteins from different animal species was observed. CM allergen-induced histamine release was dose-dependent. Therefore, differences in the relative percentage of major allergens may lead to a discrepancy between allergenic and antigenic activity. The presence of very similar epitopes could explain the cross-reactivity in mammalian milks.Chemistry, AppliedFood Science & TechnologyImmunologyToxicologySCI(E)0ARTICLE2119-1302