EFFECT OF CREATINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON Sparus aurata ALLERGENS BY COMPARATIVE PROTEOMICS

Fish consumption is continuously raising and fish supplies are needed to increase rapidly. Proteins from fish are considered a healthy alternative to protein from other animals.  A llergies  to fish show a high prevalence worldwide which can reach 8% in case of children.  Ninety five percent (95%) of the allergic responses is due to a hypersensitive reaction against β-parvalbumin, which is a stable white muscle protein , with a low molecular weight of about 12 kDa and an acidic isoelectric point (4.5-5.0). It binds specific ions like calcium and magnesium and contributes to the relaxation and contraction of the muscle.  Studies showed that creatine  supplementation might modulate the expression of parvalbumin. The present study was conducted with the objective of lowering the expression of β -parvalbumin in fish muscle to produce a low allergenic fish species.

Twenty four  Sparus aurata  were reared in triplicate (initial body weight of 170 ± 1.4 g) for 69 days in 500L conical tanks exposed to natural environmental and photoperiod conditions at the Ramalhete experimental station. Fish were fed twice a day till satiety with experimental diets differing in creatine concentrations (0, 3, 5 and 8%). Muscle and blood samples were taken during sampling after a lethal dose of 2-phenoxyethanol and frozen at -80ºC till further analysis. Comparative proteomics was performed to analyze parvalbumin expression in the muscle and cortisol levels were determined with blood samples. Biochemical characterization of fish was performed during 72 hours after slaughter.

Zootechnical results show a similar growth with the different tested diets (Table1). Co mparative proteomics  of the total protein extract  show a total of 802 spots,  the parvalbumin protein shows no  significant modification in its expression (Figure1).

Creatine enrichment up to 8%  does not seem to have an effect in the allergenic potential of fish.

This study received Portuguese national funds from FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology through project UID/Multi/04326/2019.