Effect of Electron Beam Irradiation in Combination with Other Treatments on Shrimp Allergen, Tropomyosin

A hurdle technology-based approach for the reduction in immunogenicity of shrimp major allergen, tropomyosin was investigated by combining electron beam irradiation at 5 kGy and boiling, autoclaving, trypsin and chymotrypsin treatments along with peeled raw shrimp as control. Shrimp extracts were prepared from the irradiated sample and evaluated SDS PAGE profile, IgE binding ability and immunogenicity of tropomyosin using pooled sera of shrimp sensitive individuals. Electron beam irradiation resulted in significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the IgE activity in the case of all treatments. The SDS PAGE analysis showed the presence of tropomyosin in all the treatments except autoclaving in combination with or without electron beam irradiation. A pronounced reduction in allergenicity was observed in the treatment of autoclaving in combination with electron beam irradiation. The combined application of autoclaving and electron beam irradiation can be utilized for the preparation of hypoallergic shrimp.