# Comparison of commercial DNA kits for allergen detection of celery in food matrices

## TL;DR

This study compares DNA test kits for detecting celery allergens in various food types and finds that while they work, results can be affected by food composition and need improvement.

## Contribution

The study evaluates commercial DNA test kits for celery detection in diverse food matrices and highlights the challenges in accurate quantification.

## Key findings

- DNA kits detect celery DNA down to 1 ppm spiked protein in five product groups.
- Quantitative performance of the test kits was challenging in all food product groups.
- Conversion of DNA results leads to overestimation of the amount of celery.

## Abstract

For correct allergen risk management by industry, retail and food safety authorities, sensitive and reliable fast allergen detection methods are required, even more when precautionary allergen labelling based on reference doses will be implemented in legislation.

This study aimed to perform a comparative assessment of three commercially available quantitative or qualitative test kits, for DNA analysis of celery in food products. Five product groups, representing different sectors of the AOAC food-matrix triangle, being (plant-based) meat products, snacks, sauces, dried herbs and spices, and smoothies, were identified to potentially contain celery. From each group, blank and incurred (labelled to contain celery) food products were selected, of which the blank food products were additionally spiked with low protein levels of celery prior to qPCR assessment.

Results show that the assessed test kits perform according to their specifications, however, a clear influence of the matrix on the detection ability of celery was observed. In addition, quantification of the amount of celery in the different food products showed to be challenging in all food product groups using the two quantification kits.

•DNA kits detect celery DNA down to 1 ppm spiked protein in five product groups.•A clear matrix effect was observed.•Quantitative performance of the test kits was challenging in all food product groups.•Conversion of DNA results leads to overestimation of the amount of celery.•Quantification using DNA kits requires optimization for risk management decisions.

DNA kits detect celery DNA down to 1 ppm spiked protein in five product groups.

A clear matrix effect was observed.

Quantitative performance of the test kits was challenging in all food product groups.

Conversion of DNA results leads to overestimation of the amount of celery.

Quantification using DNA kits requires optimization for risk management decisions.