Thaumatin and gum arabic allergy in chewing gum factory workers

@article{Tschannen2017ThaumatinAG,
  title={Thaumatin and gum arabic allergy in chewing gum factory workers},
  author={Mattias P Tschannen and Ulrich Gl{\"u}ck and Andreas J. Bircher and Ingmar A.F.M. Heijnen and Claudia Pletscher},
  journal={American Journal of Industrial Medicine},
  year={2017},
  volume={60},
  pages={664–669}
}
Thaumatin is a sweetener and flavor modifier commonly used in the food industry. Likewise, gum arabic is widely used as a food stabilizer and thickening agent. We report here that a powder mixture composed of 10% thaumatin and 90% gum arabic led to allergic symptoms in the upper airways in occupationally exposed individuals: four of eight workers of a chewing gum factory exposed to this powder mixture had pronounced rhinitis. A positive skin prick test result for pure thaumatin was obtained in… 
View on Wolters Kluwer
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6 Citations
Background Citations
3

Figures from this paper

6 Citations

Re‐evaluation of thaumatin (E 957) as food additive
Abstract The present opinion deals with the re‐evaluation of thaumatin (E 957) when used as a food additive. Thaumatin is a natural plant protein, consisting of thaumatin I and thaumatin II proteins…
Botanical and commercial characterisation of gum arabic and its detection in wine using non-targeted high resolution mass spectrometry
Plants as a source of natural high-intensity sweeteners: a review
TLDR
The plants described in this review are a source of natural highintensity sweeteners, which can be used in food and by the pharmaceutical industry in the future and some of these substances can also modify the taste, like changing sour into sweet taste.
Natural Sweeteners: The Relevance of Food Naturalness for Consumers, Food Security Aspects, Sustainability and Health Impacts
TLDR
The most important aspects of consumer’s perceptions of and attitudes to natural foods and in-depth research into natural sweeteners are addressed, including issues about their use and development as regards health impacts, food security and sustainability.
Identification of the Active Principle Conferring Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Properties in Bamboo Plant
TLDR
A protein, with an amino acid sequence similar to that of thaumatins, capable of repressing inflammation through downregulation of neutrophil recruitment and of decreasing hyperalgesia in mice is identified.
Confectionery and Candymakers

References

SHOWING 1-10 OF 20 REFERENCES
Gum Arabic as a Cause of Occupational Allergy
TLDR
Airborne exposure to gum arabic may cause sensitization leading to allergic rhinitis, asthma, and urticaria in candy factory workers.
Thaumatin-like protein and baker's respiratory allergy.
  • M. Lehto, Liisa Airaksinen, A. Lauerma
  • Medicine
    Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
  • 2010
Airway disease and thaumatin-like protein in an olive-oil mill worker.
TLDR
A 41-year-old man who had been working since 1993 in an olive-oil mill and had a 2-year history of episodic rhinitis, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing is reported on.
Safety evaluation of thaumatin (Talin protein).
Evidence for the safety of gum arabic (Acacia senegal (L.) Willd.) as a food additive--a brief review.
TLDR
This brief review collates the dietary, toxicological, immunological, chemical and other studies available to conclude that no limitation to the use of gum arabic as a food additive need be specified when it conforms to the established criteria of identity and purity.
Rhinitis and asthma caused by occupational exposure to carob bean flour.
Thaumatin‐like proteins – a new family of pollen and fruit allergens
TLDR
The recombinant thaumatin-like Mal d 2 exhibited antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium expansum, indicating a function in plant defense against fungal pathogens.
Cytologic changes in the nasal secretions during the immediate nasal response.
Cytopathology of the Nasal Mucosa in Smokers: A Possible Biomarker of Air Pollution?
TLDR
As yet, no significant relation between smoking habits and the incidence of nasal sinus squamous cell carcinomas has been demonstrated in contrast to the established relationship between smoking and carcinomas of the larynx and lungs, so it is conceivable that cytopathologic changes in the nasal mucosa could act as a biomarker reflecting similarChanges in the lower respiratory tract.
The clinical utility of basophil activation testing in diagnosis and monitoring of allergic disease
TLDR
The nature of basophil activation as an ex vivo challenge makes it a multifaceted and promising tool for the allergist, and it ought to precede challenge testing.
...
...