Peanut
(Arachis hypogaea,Leguminosae)
allergy
is
a major
cause
of
food-induced
anaphylaxis.
The potential use
of
activated
charcoal (AC)
to
adsorb
and
reduce
the
bioavailability
of
peanut
protein
allergens
for
use
in
the moderation
of
hypersensitivity
reactions
was
investigated.
The rate
and
extent
of
protein
release
from
peanut
and
the adsorption
of
the solubilized
protein
by
AC was
determined
under
physiological
pH
values
and
confirmed
in
vivo
using
a
porcine
animal
model
system.
Peanut
proteins
were
adsorbed
with
equal
efficiency
at pH 2 and 7
and
are
completely
removed
from
solution
by
an
AC/protein
ratio
of
approximately
80:1.
This
suggests
that
AC
can
bind
protein
under
gastric
(pH 2)
or
intestinal
(pH 7)
conditions.
The rapid
adsorption
of
soluble
peanut
allergens
and
the continuous
binding
of
allergens
released
from
peanut
particulate
material
suggest
the potential
efficacy
of
using AC
for
gastric
decontamination
and
possible
elimination
of
a biphasic
allergic
reaction.