Ultrasound‐assisted glycation and the allergenicity of α‐lactalbumin

Abstract BACKGROUND Ultrasound‐assisted glycation is a promising method for decreasing the allergenicity of α ‐lactalbumin (ALA). However, there is a lack of in vivo studies on the allergenicity of ultrasound‐assisted glycated ALA. In this study, the effects of the ultrasound‐assisted glycation of ALA on the allergenicity and intestinal microflora were characterized using a BALB/c mouse model. RESULTS Increased immunoglobulin ‐G/ immunoglobulin‐E (IgG/IgE) and interleukin‐4/6 (IL‐4/6) secretions, and reduced interferon‐ γ (IFN‐ γ ) secretions were found in the serum of ALA sensitized and challenged, mice in comparison with a control group. However, there was no significant difference between the mice fed with ultrasound‐assisted glycated ALA and the control group. Mice that were sensitized and challenged with ALA showed disrupted intestinal microflora, manifesting in significantly decreased Firmicutes and significantly increased Proteobacteria . It was found that 100ALA‐gal could maintain the intestinal microflora of mice in a normal state. Pearson's rank correlation showed that Proteobacteria and Spirochaetota were correlated positively with the IL‐4/IL‐6 level and were correlated negatively with the expression of IFN‐ γ . Proteobacteria were also significantly positively correlated with IL‐6 and negatively correlated with IFN‐ γ ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION These results suggested that ultrasound‐assisted glycation on ALA can maintain the intestinal microflora in a normal state thus balancing the proportion of Th1/Th2 to decrease allergic reaction. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.