Abstract: Peanut allergens have not yet been studied in China. The aim of this study was to investigate: (i) the major peanut allergens in China, and (ii) whether peanut varieties in China show different allergen profiles. Three peanut varieties commonly used in China were studied. Immunoblot on peanut protein extracts was performed with sera from 10 eczema patients with serum specific IgE (immunoglobulin E) of peanut proteins. Peanut specific IgE reacting bands were subjected to determination of N- terminal amino acid sequences with the automated Edman degradation method. The relative contents of major peanut allergens were quantified by SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl-sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) densitometry. In result, Ara h 1 and a series of Ara h 3 were major peanut allergens in China. The relative amount of Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 were significantly different in Chinese peanut varieties but both less than foreign varieties. Therefore, peanut varieties may induce different amount of allergens. The relative lower contents of Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 may lead to the lower prevalence of peanut allergy in China.

Key words: peanut allergy, Ara h(Arachis hypogea (peanut) allergen)