New applications of advanced instrumental techniques for the characterization of food allergenic proteins

Current approaches based on electrophoretic, chromatographic or immunochemical principles have allowed characterizing multiple allergens, mapping their epitopes, studying their mechanisms of action, developing detection and diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies for the food and pharmaceutical industry. However, some of the common structural features related to the allergenic potential of food proteins remain unknown, or the pathological mechanism of food allergy is not yet fully understood. In addition, it is also necessary to evaluate new allergens from novel protein sources that may pose a new risk for consumers. Technological development has allowed the expansion of advanced technologies for which their whole potential has not been entirely exploited and could provide novel contributions to still unexplored molecular traits underlying both the structure of food allergens and the mechanisms through which they sensitize or elicit adverse responses in human subjects, as well as improving analytical techniques for their detection. This review presents cutting-edge instrumental techniques recently applied when studying structural and functional aspects of proteins, mechanism of action and interaction between biomolecules. We also exemplify their role in the food allergy research and discuss their new possible applications in several areas of the food allergy field. ; COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) [FA1402]; Juan de la Cierva Program (MICIU, Spain); Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [AGL2017-88964R]; Allerscreening Project [H2020-NMBP-X-KET-2017. 768641 - AllerScreening]; Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia [UIDB 50006/2020]; projects AlleRiskAssess [PTDC/BAA-AGR/31720/2017]; FCT [SFRH/BPD/102404/2014]; Belgian Special Research Fund BOF StG [01N01718]; Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia [451-0368/2020-14/200168]; Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts [F26]; European Commission, under the Horizon2020, FoodEnTwin project [810752]; ...