Breakthrough in allergy mitigation using an innovative steam pressure-based processing technique

Abstract

Peanuts are recognized as one of the most common allergenic foods, known to induce severe Th2-mediated allergic reactions. The resulting global health concern has fostered the necessity to design innovative technologies capable of mitigating allergenicity. This study investigated the effect of an innovative thermomechanical process, “Intensification of Vaporization by Decompression to the Vacuum” (IVDV), on the protein content and immunogenicity of whole peanuts. Through animal studies using peanut allergy BALB/c mouse models, this research revealed a clear reduction in allergic symptoms once challenged with IVDV-treated peanut protein extract, compared to those receiving raw or deep-fried peanut protein extracts. Significant changes in immune response markers in animals were observed, including reduced levels of histamine, Th1/Th2 cytokines, and antibodies, thus confirming the efficacy of IVDV in mitigating allergenicity in peanuts. Saturated steam pressure was demonstrated to have a highly significant positive effect on the reduction of protein content in IVDV-treated samples through degradation, with a noteworthy reduction ranging from 42.3% to 89.2%. This pilot study embarked on a pioneering exploration into the ability of IVDV to offer a viable solution in reducing peanut allergenicity, opening new avenues for enhanced food safety and inclusivity. The ease of scalability of IVDV technology to an industrial level, along with its cost-efficiency, further enhance its appeal for widespread adoption.