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.