Voltammetric Immunosensor to Track a Major Peanut Allergen (Ara h 1) in Food Products Employing Quantum Dot Labels

Abstract

Tracking unreported allergens in commercial foods can avoid acute allergic reactions. A 2-step electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the analysis of the peanut allergen Ara h 1 in a 1-h assay (−1 (LOD = 3.5 ng·mL−1), an adequate precision of the method (Vx0 ≈ 6%), and a sensitivity of 23.0 nA·mL·ng−1·cm−2 were achieved. The immunosensor was able to detect Ara h 1 in a spiked allergen-free product down to 0.05% (m/m) of peanut. Commercial organic farming cookies and cereal and protein bars were tested to track and quantify Ara h 1. The results were validated by comparison with an ELISA kit.

Keywords

• Ara h 1
• biosensor
• electrochemical immunosensor
• food allergy
• nanolabel
• peanut allergy