Initial allergenicity assessment of Ulva sp. seaweed flour.

ABSTRACT: Ulva sp. is a green marine macroalga and a promising yet underexplored sustainable food source, with limited research on its allergenicity. This study evaluated the allergenic potential of Ulva sp. demineralized biomass flour (Ulva-DBF) using a weight-of-evidence approach inspired by regulatory assessments for novel foods, combining literature review, proteomic analysis, and a pilot clinical trial. Literature revealed no documented Ulva allergenicity. Proteomic analysis identified a few putative allergens, with estimated allergenic potential below 0.02%. In a pilot clinical trial (registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT06452381; First Posted Date: June 11, 2024), 31 participants consumed Ulva-DBF. No allergic reactions occurred, although 16.6% reported gastrointestinal discomfort

SUBMITTER: Kedar O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12764789 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature