Biblio-informatic analysis of allergens contained in the milpa diet

Abstract

Introdution: The milpa diet (MD) is a balanced and accessible nutritional model based on the biodiversity of Mexico. Currently, research on allergens involved in food allergy (FA) has focused on foods with high global consumption, without analyzing foods included in MD.

Objective: To describe the allergens contained in MD.

Methods: A specific search was performed using the PUBMED-NCBIwebsite for MD and their respective allergens implicated in FA. Of the articles identified, those that had at least one allergen reported in the WHO/IUISsoftware were evaluated, as well as their UniProt code, necessary to access protein sequencing by BLAST software. We then conducted identification analysis using the AllerCatPro 2.0 software, setting a threshold of above 60% correlation of identity among proteins included in MD.

Results: Only 11 (16.9%) MD foods have reported associations with FA (pineapple, chili pepper, tomato, amaranth, sapodilla, peanut, avocado, squash, corn, green beans, and papaya). Likewise, 19 protein families were associated; profilins and nsLTP1 were the most frequent, presented in four and six foods, respectively. Five proteins (PR-10, TLP, cyclophilin, class IV chitinase, and nsLTP2) were identified in two foods, while twelve proteins (oleosins, conglutins, defensins, polygalacturonase, cupin, chymopapain, bromelain, L-ascorbate oxidase, 11S and 2S globulins, beta-fructofuranosidase, and ole-1-like protein) were identified in at least one food. The highest identity was found between profilins from chili pepper (cap*a*2.0201) and tomato (Sola*l*1.0101) at 94.7%.

Conlusion: Among 1080 molecules implicated in allergic responses, the bioinformatic analysis identified only ~5% in MD. However, in vitro confirmation of these findings is necessary. Foods in the MD contain a higher proportion of nsLTP1 and profilins.

Keywords: Milpa diet; Identity; Proteins; Food allergy.