Assessment of Allergenic Cross-Reactivity between Mustard Seeds (Sinapis alba) and False Flax Seeds (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz).

Global food systems are shifting toward novel protein sources and Camelina sativa seed (false flax) is emerging as a promising candidate. This study evaluated the cross-reactive allergenic risk of Camelina seeds using bioinformatics, immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivity studies, inhibition ELISA, and basophil activation tests. First, an in silico analysis identified homology (≥50% sequence identity) between 107 known allergens, among which mustard 2S (Sin a 1) and 12S (Sin a 2) allergens, and Camelina seed proteins. IgE reactivity studies using sera of mustard- and/or rapeseed-allergic individuals (n = 27) showed comparable reactivity to Camelina seed proteins as to mustard and rapeseed. Inhibition ELISA confirmed that Camelina seed proteins indeed cross-react with mustard seed proteins. Finally, Camelina seed proteins were shown to induce degranulation of humanized rat basophils passively sensitized with sera from mustard-allergic individuals. Taken together, these data suggest a potential cross-reactive risk between mustard seed and Camelina seed.