New research has heralded a promising step for sufferers of wheat sensitivity or allergy by identifying key insights about the proteins causing the common types of wheat allergy.
New study has revealed significant insights about the proteins causing two of the most common types of wheat sensitivity - occupational asthma (baker’s asthma) and non-celiac wheat sensitivity. The findings of the study are published in the Journal of Proteome Research.// With an estimated 10 percent of people suffering from wheat sensitivity or allergy-causing a raft of chronic health issues, researchers are developing tests that will help the production of low-allergen wheat varieties in the future.
‘Wheat allergies develop when the body's immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to wheat.
’
ECU Professor of Food and Agriculture Michelle Colgrave led the investigation. "We have known for a long time that certain wheat proteins can trigger an immune response in some people, but now we have developed a way to detect and quantify these proteins," Professor Colgrave said.
"We looked a group of proteins called alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitors (ATIs), which are known to trigger the intestinal inflammation and chronic ailments associated with wheat intolerance in some people.
"These ATI proteins are commonly found in wheat and play an important role in plant defense against pests and also act as an important nutrient for plant growth and human nutrition."
The research has resulted in a reference map of wheat ATI proteins across a diverse range of wheat varieties that represent more than 80 percent of the genetic diversity found in commercial bread wheat.
Advertisement
"This is a promising step towards future wheat breeding programs that aim to produce safe and healthy wheat varieties to meet the needs of consumers that currently rely on total wheat avoidance," Professor Colgrave said.
Advertisement