Allergenicity reduction of silkworm pupae allergen Bomb m 6 via ultrasound-assisted xylosylation: Structural disruption and epitope-masking effects.

Silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori) are a promising sustainable protein, but their use is limited by potent allergens like Bomb m 6. This study developed an ultrasound-assisted xylosylation method to mitigate its allergenicity. Ultrasound-assisted xylosylation effectively altered the structure of Bomb m 6 and introduced 8 new glycation sites within known B-cell epitopes, suggesting a potential for epitope masking. These modifications reduced IgE-binding capacity by nearly 2-fold, which remained sustained even after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. In vivo, mice sensitized with ultrasound-xylosylated Bomb m 6 exhibited attenuated allergic symptoms, decreased histamine/MCP-1, suppressed Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-13), and elevated TGF-β1, alongside expanded activated splenic regulatory T cells (Tregs), indicating the induction of a tolerogenic immune environment. This work establishes ultrasound-assisted xylosylation as an effective strategy for protein ingredients with lower allergenic potential.