Acceptability of Peanut Skins as a Natural Antioxidant in Flavored Coated Peanuts.

Peanut skins are a low‐value byproduct of the peanut processing industry. Following their removal during the preparation of common peanut products, they are either discarded or used as a minor component of animal feed. Studies have found peanuts skins to be rich in health promoting phenolic compounds and thus have potential as a functional food ingredient. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new product that included the encapsulated phenolic extract from peanut skins in a flavored coating for peanuts. The phenolic compounds were extracted from peanut skins and then encapsulated in 10.5% (w/w) maltodextrin in to reduce the bitter flavor. The encapsulated phenolic extract was added at varying concentrations to honey roast flavored and chili lime flavored coatings which were applied to roasted peanuts. The resulting total phenolic content and antioxidant potential of the coated peanuts were evaluated by the Folin‐Ciocalteu, DPPH, and β‐carotene bleaching assays. A best estimate sensory threshold for the peanut skin extract in the honey roasted and chili lime coating was found to be 12.8% (w/w) and 16.6% (w/w), respectively. The total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity for both the honey roasted and chili lime coated peanuts at their threshold was found to be significantly higher than control peanuts that did not contain peanut skins in the coating. The increased antioxidant activity and unaltered flavor profile at the sensory threshold levels of peanut skins demonstrated their potential as a functional food ingredient.


Release of Major Peanut Allergens from Their Matrix under Various pH and Simulated Saliva Conditions—Ara h2 and Ara h6 Are Readily Bio-Accessible.

The oral mucosa is the first immune tissue that encounters allergens upon ingestion of food. We hypothesized that the bio-accessibility of allergens at this stage may be a key determinant for sensitization. Light roasted peanut flour was suspended at various pH in buffers mimicking saliva. Protein concentrations and allergens profiles were determined in the supernatants. Peanut protein solubility was poor in the pH range between 3 and 6, while at a low pH (1.5) and at moderately high pHs (>8), it increased. In the pH range of saliva, between 6.5 and 8.5, the allergens Ara h2 and Ara h6 were readily released, whereas Ara h1 and Ara h3 were poorly released. Increasing the pH from 6.5 to 8.5 slightly increased the release of Ara h1 and Ara h3, but the recovery remained low (approximately 20%) compared to that of Ara h2 and Ara h6 (approximately 100% and 65%, respectively). This remarkable difference in the extraction kinetics suggests that Ara h2 and Ara h6 are the first allergens an individual is exposed to upon ingestion of peanut-containing food. We conclude that the peanut allergens Ara h2 and Ara h6 are quickly bio-accessible in the mouth, potentially explaining their extraordinary allergenicity.


Feasibility of desensitizing children highly allergic to peanut by high‐dose oral immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on feasibility, efficacy and safety of high-dose oral immunotherapy (OIT) in children highly allergic to peanuts. OBJECTIVE: In children highly allergic to peanut, we primarily aimed to determine the feasibility of reaching the maximum maintenance dose (MMD) of 5000 mg peanut protein or alternatively, a lower individual maintenance dose (IMD), by OIT up-dosing. Secondarily, we aimed to identify adverse events (AEs), and determine factors associated with reaching a maintenance dose. METHODS: The TAKE-AWAY peanut OIT trial enrolled 77 children 5-15 years -old, with a positive oral peanut challenge. Fifty-seven were randomized to OIT with bi-weekly dose step-up until reaching MMD or IMD, and 20 to observation only. Demographic and biological characteristics, AEs, medication and protocol-deviations were explored for associations with reaching maintenance dose. RESULTS: All children had anaphylaxis defined by objective symptoms in minimum two organ systems during baseline challenge. The MMD was reached by 21.1%, while 54.4% reached an IMD of median (minimum, maximum) 2700 (250, 4000) mg peanut protein, whereas 24.5% discontinued OIT. During up-dosing, 19.4% experienced anaphylaxis. Not reaching the MMD was caused by distaste for peanuts (66.7%), unacceptable AEs (26.7%) and social reasons (6.7%). Increased peanut s-IgG₄/s-IgE ratio (OR (95% CI)) 1.02 (1.00, 1.04) was associated with reaching MMD. CONCLUSION: Although 75.5% of children with peanut anaphylaxis reached a maintenance dose of 0.25 - 5 g, only 21.1% reached the MMD. Distaste for peanuts and AEs, including high risk of anaphylaxis, limited feasibility of reaching MMD.


Tree nut allergens.

Tree nuts are considered as part of a healthy diet due to their high nutritional quality. However, they are also a potent source of allergenic proteins inducing IgE mediated hypersensitivity often causing serious, life-threatening reactions. The reported prevalence of tree nut allergy is up to 4.9% worldwide. The general term "tree nuts" comprises a number of nuts, seeds, and drupes, derived from trees from different botanical families. For hazelnut and walnut several allergens have been identified which are already partly applied in component resolved diagnosis, while for other tree nuts such as macadamia, coconut, and Brazil nut only individual allergens were identified and data on additional allergenic proteins are missing. This review summarizes the current knowledge on tree nut allergens and describes their physicochemical and immunological characterization and clinical relevance.


Evidence of Cross-Reactivity between Different Seed Storage Proteins from Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) and Walnut (Juglans regia) Using Recombinant Allergen Proteins.

Seed storage proteins are extremely stable allergens in nuts, seeds, and legumes and are responsible for the most severe allergic reactions to these foods. The cross-reactivity between seed storage proteins from different sources has not been studied at a molecular level so far. This study aimed to ascertain the cross-reactivity between walnut and hazelnut seed storage proteins using recombinant allergens. Sera from 13 consecutive patients with severe primary walnut and/or hazelnut allergy and hypersensitive to both nuts were studied. IgE specific for rCor a 9, rCor a 14, and rJug r 1 was measured, and inhibition experiments were carried out by measuring IgE reactivity after absorption of patients' sera with freshly prepared walnut extract. All 13 sera showed strong IgE reactivity against walnut 2S albumin, Jug r 1, 12 reacted to hazelnut 2S albumin, Cor a 14, and 8 to the hazelnut legumin, Cor a 9. In inhibition experiments, absorption of sera with whole walnut extract led to the complete disappearance of IgE reactivity to Jug r 1 in 12/13 cases, as expected, but also to the complete disappearance of specific IgE to Cor a 14 in 9/12 sera, and of IgE reactivity to Cor a 9 in 7/8. In the remaining cases a dramatic drop in IgE reactivity was observed. The study shows that patients primarily allergic to either walnut or hazelnut showing a skin or serological reactivity to the other nut also are potentially at risk of severe allergic reactions caused by cross-reactivity between 2S albumins and legumins.


Patterns of tree nut sensitisation and allergy in the first 6 years of life in a population-based cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Longitudinal population-based data regarding tree nut allergy are limited. OBJECTIVES: To determine population prevalence of tree nut allergy at age 6 years, and explore the relationship between egg and peanut allergy at age 1 year and development of tree nut allergy at age 6 years. METHODS: A population-based sample of 5,276 children were recruited at age one and followed up at age 6 years. At age 1 allergy to egg and peanut were determined by oral food challenge and parents reported their child's history of reaction to tree nuts. Challenge-confirmed tree nut allergy was assessed at age 6. RESULTS: At age 1, prevalence of parent-reported tree nut allergy was 0.1% (95% CI 0.04-0.2). Only 18.5% of infants had consumed tree nuts in the first year of life. At age 6, challenge-confirmed tree nut allergy prevalence was 3.3% (95%CI 2.8-4.0), with cashew the most common (2.7%, 95% CI 2.2-3.3). Of children with peanut allergy only at age 1, 27% (95%CI 16.1-39.7) were tree nut allergic at age 6, compared with 14% (95%CI 10.4-17.9) of those with egg allergy only and 37% (95%CI 27.2-47.4) of those with both peanut and egg allergy. CONCLUSIONS: Tree nut allergy is uncommon in the first year of life, likely due to limited tree nut consumption. At age 6 years, tree nut allergy prevalence is similar to peanut allergy prevalence. Over a third of children with both peanut and egg allergy in infancy have tree nut allergy at age 6. Understanding how to prevent tree nut allergy should be an urgent priority for future research.


22nd International Congress of Nutrition

The 22nd International Congress of Nutrition (ICN) will be held in Tokyo, Japan, in September of 2021. ICN is the four-yearly meeting of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS). The congress will be an ideal opportunity for participants to reaffirm or rediscover their mission to help to realize good health and happiness for future generations.

For more information, please visit the webpage.


37th International Symposium on Diabetes and Nutrition

We are delighted to invite you to the 37th International Symposium on Diabetes and Nutrition. The symposium represents the annual international meeting of the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group (DNSG) of the European Association for the study of Diabetes (EASD). It will bring together scientists fro around the globe, PhD students, physicians, and dietitians to showcase the latest advances in the field of Nutrition and Diabetes. The meeting will cover basic and applied sciences. The program will consist of plenary lectures, panel discussions and oral and poster abstract presentations.

http://www.mintonline.org/dnsg2019/default.asp


USA: Pesticide Petitions

As regards nuts and dried fruits, the petitions received were the following:
 
Amended tolerances:
• Remove existing tolerances for fenpyroximate in nut, tree, group 14-12 at 0.10 ppm and pistachio at 0.10 ppm.
• Remove existing tolerances for the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium in tree nuts (Crop Group 14-12) at 0.50 ppm.
 
New tolerances:
• Establish tolerances for fenpyroximate in nut, tree, group 14-12 at 0.10 ppm.
 
The final date for comments is September 13, 2018.
 
Federal Register Vol. 83, No. 157. Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Pages 40272-40273.  
 

China, Subjective Walnut Crop Estimate

Short crops were reported from Hebei, Henan, Gansu, Shaanxi and Shanxi due to widespread frost/snow, down 30% in Hebei, 50% in Henan, Gansu and Shaanxi, and 70% in Shanxi. The good news came from two top origins, Xinjiang and Yunnan, which expect above average crops, and accounting for over 60% of the total crop.
 
A larger than normal carry over and inactive demand worldwide have resulted in market declining at the end of the season.