Sesame protein is a recognized food allergen in many countries. Conditions used during processing can affect
its detection in foods. In this study, the effect of different extraction conditions, pH, high pressure (HP) (100–
500 MPa) and thermal processing (boiling, microwave heating and dry roasting) on the antigenic properties
of sesame protein isolates were studied. Isolates prepared using water, sodium chloride at different concentrations, and ammonium sulfate at different percent saturation showed different immunoreactivity responses. Higher immunoreactivity was observed with the water, low salt (0.2 M NaCl), and ammonium
sulfate isolated extracts compared to those extracted with higher salt (0.6–1 M NaCl) likely due to differences in the types of proteins extracted. High pressure treatment markedly decreased antigenicity at all pH
values. Boiling and dry roasting increased the ELISA response, whereas microwaving decreased it. FTIR results
showed significant changes in sesame protein conformation due to unfolding and/or denaturation which
could have modified the antigenic properties of the sesame proteins.