Allergens ofEpicoccum nigrumgrown in different media for quality source material

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Abstract
Background: The Epicoccum nigrum (EN) extract used in allergy disorders exhibits batch‐to‐batch variations in protein composition and allergenic potency. In this study, the allergens of EN grown in different media were investigated. Methods: EN was grown in five different nutrient media as stationary cultures at 25°C for 5–23 days. The growth pattern was characterized by measuring dry weight, and protein and carbohydrate content. The antigenic and allergenic content of EN extract was evaluated with EN‐positive patients' sera and antibodies raised in rabbit. Results: The growth of EN in Czapeck Dox medium yielded insufficient material, while Sabouraud's broth with yeast extract (SBY) gave maximum spore‐mycelial mass and protein content. Potato dextrose broth (PDB) and potato dextrose agar (PDA) showed higher dry weight and protein in 7–9‐day cultures. SDS–PAGE resolved 26, 22, and 21 protein bands in EN extracts from cultures of day‐13 SBY, day‐7 PDB, and day‐9 PDA, respectively. IgE/IgG immunoblots showed more allergenic ( 25 )/antigenic ( 25 ) bands in EN cultured in SBY than in the others. Specific IgE ELISA and intradermal tests showed EN extract from day‐13 culture in SBY to be the most potent. Conclusions: The day‐13 culture of EN in SBY was the most potent and may be selected for preparing EN extracts for diagnosis of allergy and future studies.