Binding of protein allergens to activated charcoal

CHED 781

Ara Kim and Randall A. Kopper, kopper@hendrix.edu. Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Ave, Conway, AR 72032
Activated charcoal is commonly used in emergency rooms to adsorb ingested poisons or drugs. We are investigating the use of charcoal for the binding of allergenic food proteins to prevent their absorption in the digestive tract thus alleviating an allergic reaction. This project involves a study of the release of soluble protein from peanuts and their subsequent binding to activated charcoal. Factors affecting the solubilization of protein from raw and roasted peanuts and their subsequent adsorption onto activated charcoal are being studied. Chopped peanut was incubated in solution under various conditions and the protein released analyzed by gel electrophoresis and quantitative protein assay. The solubilized protein was then incubated with activated charcoal under different experimental conditions to assess the extent of binding. The results will address the potential efficacy of the use of activated charcoal in gastric decontamination following the accidental ingestion of allergenic proteins by allergic individuals.