Purpose: To improve upon current gluten-detection capabilities, PiBio Scientific has developed and validated a highly rapid diagnostic tool specifically designed to detect deamidated gliadin derivatives in foods, environmental surfaces, and personal hygiene products.
Methods: Monoclonal antibodies against deamidated gliadin were raised in mice, screened against a panel of prolamins, purified on a protein G using FPLC, then one of the candidate clones was used to develop a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay configured in sandwich format. Sample extraction buffers and running buffers were developed to enable rapid and highly sensitive operation of the LFD. The ensuing kit and test method were validated.
Results: The PiBio deamidated gluten lateral flow test method demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.1 µg/swab and 10 µg/ml food for both deamidated and native gluten in under 20 min (sample preparation and LFD operation). Specificity analysis demonstrated cross-reactivity with teff grains and selectivity analysis using a panel of problematic matrices revealed no alterations to LOD.
Significance: Wheat protein isolate is increasingly used in the food industry for improving food textures and fortifying protein content. The development of a highly sensitive and rapid testing method capable of accurately detecting trace amounts of deamidated gliadin residues in under 20 min should aid food manufacturers and regulatory entities in monitoring for gluten derivatives that are challenging to detect using existing diagnostic tools.