Edible Insects and Allergenic Potential: An Observational Study About In Vitro IgE-Reactivity to Recombinant Pan-Allergens of the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) in Patients Sensitized to Crustaceans and Mites.

Publisher: MDPI Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101092791 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1422-0067 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14220067 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Mol Sci Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: Basel, Switzerland : MDPI, [2000-

Immunoglobulin E*/immunology ; Allergens*/immunology ; Food Hypersensitivity*/immunology ; Edible Insects*/immunology ; Diptera*/immunology ; Crustacea*/immunology; Tropomyosin/immunology ; Cross Reactions/immunology ; Recombinant Proteins/immunology ; Arginine Kinase/immunology ; Mites/immunology ; Animals ; Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Given their nutritional features and environmental sustainability, black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae are currently being considered in Europe for commercialization as human food. The primary goal of this study is the determination of in vitro IgE-cross-reactivity to recombinant tropomyosin (HITPM) and arginine kinase (HIAK) of H. illucens in subjects sensitized to crustaceans and/or mites. Dot blot assays for recombinant HITPM were carried out with the sera of 48 subjects, 30 sensitized to crustaceans (Cr+) and/or house dust mites (HDM+) (STUDY group) and 18 non-sensitized (CTRL group). A higher rate of IgE-reactivity to recombinant HITPM was found in the STUDY group compared to non-sensitized controls (73% vs. 44%; p 0.066). No significant relationship was achieved upon dot blot assays for HIAK. No relevant association between a positive history of food reactions and immunoreactivity to HITPM and to HIAK was reported (15% in HITPM+ vs. 6% in HITPM-, p NS; 28% in HIAK+ vs. 50% in HIAK-, p NS), contrary to the HITPM+Cr+HDM+ subset (50% vs. 0%, p 0.022). Considering the wide overlap of pan-allergens within the Arthropoda phylum, concerns about allergenic potential due to the eventual consumption of H. illucens-enriched foods might be valid. Therefore, targeted studies involving basophil activation tests, skin prick tests, and a double-blind placebo-controlled oral food challenge using H. illucens are needed.

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Keywords: Hermetia illucens; arginine kinase; black soldier fly; crustaceans; edible insects; food allergy; novel foods; tropomyosin

37341-29-0 (Immunoglobulin E)
0 (Allergens)
0 (Tropomyosin)
0 (Recombinant Proteins)
EC 2.7.3.3 (Arginine Kinase)

Date Created: 20251127 Date Completed: 20251127 Latest Revision: 20251212

20260130

PMC12652208

10.3390/ijms262210831

41303317