A Comparison between Sonication and Homogenization Methods for Extraction of Mosquito Allergens

• Main Authors: Panwadee Pluangnooch, Chonvara Chalermrujinanant, Adisak Wongkajornsilp, Kitipong Soontrapa, พรรณวดี เปลื้องนุช, ชลวรา เฉลิมรุจินานันท์, อดิศักดิ์ วงศ์ขจรศิลป์, กิติพงศ์ สุนทราภา
• Other Authors: Mahidol University. Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. Department of Pharmacology
• Format: Original Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Allergen extract; sonication; homogenization; mosquito
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/79604
• Institution: Mahidol University

Objective: To compare sonication and homogenization methods for preparation of mosquito allergen extracts. Materials and Methods: Mosquito allergens were extracted from Culex quinquefasciatus using two different methods, sonication and homogenization. Protein concentrations, protein profiles, and endotoxin levels in the extracts prepared by the two methods were determined. Results: The protein concentrations measured by Bradford (results in mg/mL) and Kjeldahl (results in Protein Nitrogen Units, PNU) assays in the extracts prepared by the sonication method were 0.92 gif.latex?\pm 0.08 mg/mL and 74700 gif.latex?\pm 4934 PNU, respectively. These results were significantly higher than those in the extracts prepared by the homogenization method (0.64 gif.latex?\pm 0.01 mg/mL and 41330 gif.latex?\pm 8231 PNU). The protein fingerprint showed more protein in the extracts prepared by sonication than in those prepared by homogenization. The endotoxin levels in the extracts from both methods were clinically acceptable, and there was no bacterial contamination. Conclusion: Sonication provides mosquito allergen extracts with higher quantities of proteins and better protein composition than homogenization.