Assessment of allergenicity of irradiated dairy products in a balb/c mice model

Abstract

The objective of the present in vivo study was to analyze the changes in the immune response of the sensitized Balb/c mice against milk allergens in lyophilized cow's milk (LCM) and whey curd (LC) before and after gamma irradiation (10 kGy). The results showed lower levels of IgE in the group treated with irradiated LCM (ICM) compared to the group treated with non-irradiated LCM (NiCM). Hence, it could be suggested that gamma irradiation influenced the epitopes of the major milk proteins and was associated with lower allergenicity of the lyophilized irradiated milk. The gamma irradiation in the whey curd, however, did not significantly change the level of IgE antibodies in IC (treated with irradiated LC) compared to NiC (treated with non-irradiated LC) group.