67 Influence of Transglutaminase and the Reducing Agent Glutathione in the Gastric Digestion and Immunogenicity of Beta-Lactoglobulin

Background Among the milk whey proteins, β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) is the main allergen. In native state, β-Lg is resistant to pepsin, which is considered an indicator of its allergenic potential. Protein antigenicity can be reduced by treatment with transglutaminase (TG), an enzyme which catalyses inter or intra crosslink between Lys and Gln residues. Reducing agents have been used to increase the access of TG to the Lys and Gln residues. This study aimed at investigating the antigenicity and digestibility by pepsin of β-Lg modified by TG in the presence of the reducing agent glutathione (GSH).