Proteins in tree nuts: more than allergens

Abstract

Nuts possess beneficial properties for health, and are already part of the human diet; however, they are also a health risk to consumers sensitive to protein allergens present in nuts. Therefore, most research on nut proteins has focused on determining nut aller­gens and in generating methods to simplify their identification. This is how proteomic techniques have been recently applied in the area of food research. Proteomics also plays an important role in the study of stored tree nuts, in order to preserve their nutritional properties for the longest period of time possible. Finally, in the evaluation of differences in fruits of the same species, caused by environmental factors allows us to obtain new information regarding proteins present in foods beneficial to health.