Gluten detection in food – Measurement of Gliadin or Gluten

Why is gluten detection in food important and how can our gluten test kits help you?

People with celiac disease must follow a strict gluten-free diet. With increasing awareness of gluten sensitivity and a broader trend towards health-conscious eating, more consumers are avoiding gluten. Therefore, reliable gluten-free labeling is crucial. Manufacturers must ensure their products comply with legal limits. Testing food and equipment for traces of gluten is a core task in quality control. Validated gluten test kits are essential tools for maintaining product safety and quality. With the largest range of gluten test kits, we are your reliable partner for quality control – whether for incoming goods inspection, in-process control, hygiene control, or end-product confirmation. Find the most suitable gluten test kits for your needs and integrate gluten testing into your food production process.

Challenges in producing gluten-free products

Creating gluten-free products that are both healthy and delicious can be challenging. Manufacturers must ensure their products comply with legal requirements for gluten-free labeling. Testing for gluten, specifically gliadin, is a critical aspect of quality control. Our extensive range of test kits supports manufacturers in maintaining high standards of gluten detection and product integrity.

Which gluten detection method to choose – Lateral flow test, ELISA or PCR for gluten analysis?

We offer probably the broadest range of gluten test kits – but which method to choose? Which gluten detection method is the right choice for your needs? We have summarized the different options for you:

Gluten test strips – Lateral Flow Devices or LFD’s

Testing raw materials for the presence of gluten with gluten test strips is an essential step. Next, ensuring your production environment is free from gluten contamination is crucial. And finally testing your finished products as verification for gluten is important. Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs), like gluten test strips, offer a fast, simple, and cost-effective solution to manage the risk of food allergen cross-contamination. These tests allow for immediate on-site testing, significantly reducing the time to market for food product batches. With only a few minutes of incubation required, LFDs provide convenient and effective monitoring at various stages of food production. This includes testing food matrices, rinse water, surfaces, and equipment. Additionally, traces of gluten contamination in your laboratory can be easily detected with LFDs.

• Only available gluten test strip based on R5 antibody.
• Quantitative and qualitative gluten detection.
• High specificity and sensitivity.
• Rapid and straightforward, no specialized training or equipment needed.

ELISA test for gluten analysis

ELISA is the standard method for gluten detection, known for its high sensitivity and specificity. It enables precise quantification of gluten proteins in complex food matrices, ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements. With our broad portfolio we offer solutions for every customers need (overview see below).

Besides our RIDASCREEN® Gliadin, which is Codex Alimentarius Method Type I, all other immunoassays, including the gluten strips, are also based on the R5 antibody! Consequently, the immunological reactivity pattern is similar and therefore, results are comparable and traceability to the Codex-method is given. This ensures consistent results along the whole food production chain (from grain suppliers to final food production) and allows considering specific analytical situations regarding rapidness, easiness or food specialties.

PCR Test for gluten detection

PCR testing complements ELISA results and can be used both qualitatively and quantitatively. All qPCR kits feature a standardized sample and test procedure, with options for semi-automated sample preparation available. The unique SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex Cereals (Art. No. S7006) kit differentiates between cereal species, including wheat, barley, and rye, offering a versatile tool for comprehensive gluten analysis. The SureFood® ALLERGEN Gluten qPCR (Art. No. S3606) kit detects gluten containing cereals without differentiation. Quantification based on DNA, with subsequent conversion with the laboratory reference material Quantard 40 (containing wheat type 405) is possible in mg/kg of total wheat amount – but not to gluten protein amount.

Key benefits of monitoring gluten in food

• Consumer protection: Ensures that individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can safely consume food products labeled as gluten-free, protecting them from adverse health effects.
• Regulatory compliance: Helps manufacturers meet gluten-free labeling regulations, ensuring that products comply with legal standards and are safe for sensitive consumers.
• Quality assurance: Maintains the integrity and safety of gluten-free products by accurately detecting and quantifying gluten levels, preventing contamination.
• Comprehensive testing: Utilizes a range of sensitive and specific test methods, including lateral flow tests for surface swabbing and ELISA tests for ingredient and product analysis, to ensure thorough monitoring of gluten presence.
• Efficiency and reliability: Provides fast, reliable results that support efficient quality control processes and timely product release.

R-Biopharm – your specialist in gluten analysis

R-Biopharm has more than 20 years of experience in the field of gluten analysis in foods. In 2002, we launched the first commercially available R5 ELISA, RIDASCREEN® Gliadin. The assay was developed according to the R5 ELISA method in combination with a special cocktail extraction procedure for heat-processed samples, which has been developed and published by Professor Méndez. The cocktail is available at R-Biopharm as Cocktail (patented).
 
In 2003, this R5-ELISA in combination with the Cocktail (patented) was endorsed as Codex Alimentarius Type I method. This combination is currently only commercially available  from R-Biopharm. In 2012, the AOAC adopted the combination of RIDASCREEN® Gliadin and Cocktail (patented) as Official Method of Analysis^SM First Action number 2012.01. In 2020, we conducted a new collaborative study to acknowledge the methods wide applicability for foods from all food product groups. A special focus of this study was the inclusion of incurred samples where the containing gluten proteins were exposed to different food processing conditions. In 2021, the AOAC extended the method’s scope to an “in foods” applicability. This scope is unique!
 
Since the Codex Alimentarius Type I method is laborious and does not fit to all customer needs, we have developed different methods based on the R5 ELISA. These assays offer specific analytical solutions (e.g. hydrolyzed gluten, faster, more sensitive) and fulfil all kind of customers’ needs.