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METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION

20230101980 · 2023-03-30

Assignee

Inventors

Cpc classification

International classification

Abstract

This disclosure generally relates to embodiments for detecting presence of one or more allergens in mammalian milk. An exemplary embodiment relates to a method to detect presence of one or more allergen molecules in a composition of mammalian milk, the method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a plurality of detection sites thereon, each of the plurality of detection sites configured to detect presence of one or more allergen molecules; exposing the plurality of detection sites to a quantity of mammalian milk; detecting presence of a first allergen molecule at a first of the plurality of detection sites by detecting a fragment of DNA, RNA, or amino acids corresponding to the first allergen molecule; wherein the detected fragment excludes naturally occurring molecules present in the composition of mammalian milk.

Claims

1. A method to detect presence of one or more allergen molecules in a composition of mammalian milk, the method comprising: providing a substrate having a plurality of detection sites thereon, each of the plurality of detection sites configured to detect presence of one or more allergen molecules; exposing the plurality of detection sites to a quantity of mammalian milk; detecting presence of a first allergen molecule at a first of the plurality of detection sites by detecting a fragment of DNA, RNA, or amino acids corresponding to the first allergen molecule; wherein the detected fragment excludes naturally occurring molecules present in the composition of mammalian milk.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the detection sites comprises a probe with an active binding site.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of detecting presence of the first allergen molecule further comprises selecting a first probe with a first active binding site to bind to the fragment of the DNA, RNA, or amino acids corresponding to the first allergen molecule.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first active binding site does not bind to a naturally occurring fragment of the mammalian milk.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the detected fragment defines a selected portion of a DNA, RNA, or amino acid sequence associated with the allergen.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition of mammalian milk excludes the selected portion of DNA, RNA, or amino acid sequence.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of detection sites is configured to detect presence of a respective allergen molecule.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of detection sites is configured to detect presence of a different fragment of the first allergen molecule.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting presence of a second allergen molecule at a second of the plurality of detection sites.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the allergen molecule is selected from the group consisting of cow's milk protein, egg, fish, crustacean, tree nut, legume, cereals, grains, or other known immune reactive groups.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting presence of the first allergen molecule by detecting a plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments encoding a portion of the first allergen molecule.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting presence of a third allergen molecule at a third of the plurality of detection sites.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein between two and ten allergen molecules are detected, and wherein each allergen has a detection site in the plurality of detection sites.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein between two and five allergen molecules are detected, and wherein each allergen has a detection site in the plurality of detection sites.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein a panel of at least two allergen molecules are detected, wherein each allergen has a detection site (or sites) in the plurality of detection sites.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein a panel of at least three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten allergen molecules are detected, wherein each allergen has its own detection site (or sites) in the plurality of detection sites.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein a particular DNA or RNA fragment is associated with a particular allergen molecule.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein one or more allergens has an amino acid sequence shown in any of the Figures herein or in the specification.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein one or more allergens has an amino acid sequence shown in Figures.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection of a combination of two or more particular allergens in combination is indicative of an allergy to a known food or drink consumed by the mammal.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments comprise overlapping portions.

22. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments is substantially different from the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments.

23. An apparatus to detect presence of one or more allergen molecules in a composition of mammalian milk, the apparatus comprising: a substrate having a plurality of detection sites thereon, each of the plurality of detection sites configured to detect presence of one or more allergen molecules when exposed to a quantity of mammalian milk; at least one detection site having a probe with an active site, the active site configured to bind to a fragment of DNA, RNA, or amino acids corresponding to a first allergen molecule to thereby detect the presence of a first allergen molecule in the quantity of mammalian milk; and wherein the detected fragment excludes naturally occurring molecules present in the composition of mammalian milk.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein at least one of the detection sites comprises a probe with an active binding site.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the probe with an active binding site is selected to bind to the fragment of the DNA, RNA, or amino acids corresponding to the first allergen molecule.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first active binding site does not bind to a naturally occurring fragment of the mammalian milk.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the detected fragment defines a selected portion of a DNA, RNA, or amino acid sequence associated with the allergen.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the composition of mammalian milk excludes the selected portion of DNA, RNA, or amino acid sequence.

29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein each of the plurality of detection sites is configured to detect presence of a respective allergen molecule.

30. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein each of the plurality of detection sites is configured to detect presence of a different fragment of the first allergen molecule.

31. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein one of the plurality of active sites is configured to bind to a fragment of DNA, RNA, or amino acids corresponding to a second allergen molecule to thereby detect the presence of a second allergen molecule in the quantity of mammalian milk.

32. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the allergen molecule is selected from the group consisting of cow's milk protein, egg, fish, crustacean, tree nut, legume, cereals, grains, or other known immune reactive groups.

33. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising detecting presence of the first allergen molecule by detecting a plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments with each fragment encoding a portion of the first allergen molecule.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments comprise overlapping portions.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein at least one of the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments is substantially different from the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The following drawings are exemplary and illustrative of the disclosed embodiments, in which like elements are numbered similarly and where:

[0011] FIG. 1 Illustrates a substance identifying substrate according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 2 Illustrates a side view of the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 Illustrates a substance identifying substrate according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 4 Illustrates a substance identifying substrate according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a detection substrate 600 according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a circuitry for indicating presence of a target molecule according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 7 represents Table 2 which is an exemplary listing of sequences relating to different allergens that may be used to identify fragments of interest;

[0018] FIG. 8 shows exemplary fragments of interest for α.sub.s1-casein protein which can be found in bovine milk;

[0019] FIG. 9 shows exemplary fragments of interest for α.sub.s2-casein protein which can be found in bovine milk;

[0020] FIG. 10 shows exemplary fragments of interest for β-casein protein which can be found in bovine milk;

[0021] FIG. 11 shows exemplary fragments of interest for β-casein protein which can be found in bovine milk;

[0022] FIG. 12 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Pancreatic trypsin inhibitor which can be found in bovine milk;

[0023] FIG. 13 shows exemplary fragments of interest for β-lactoglobulin which can be found in bovine milk;

[0024] FIG. 14 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Lactoferrin which can be found in bovine milk;

[0025] FIG. 15 shows exemplary fragments of interest for β2-microglobulin which can be found in bovine milk;

[0026] FIG. 16 shows exemplary fragments of interest for serum albumin which can be found in chicken;

[0027] FIG. 17 shows exemplary fragments of interest for ovalbumin protein which can be found in chicken;

[0028] FIG. 18 shows exemplary fragments of interest for gallus protein which can be found in chicken;

[0029] FIG. 19 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Ovomuvoid protein which can be found in chicken;

[0030] FIG. 20 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Ovoglobulin G2/G3 protein which can be found in chicken;

[0031] FIG. 21 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Ovomucin protein which can be found in chicken;

[0032] FIG. 22 shows exemplary fragments of interest for lysozyme protein which can be found in chicken;

[0033] FIG. 23 shows exemplary fragments of interest for α-parvalbumin proteins which can be found in salmon and pike fish;

[0034] FIG. 24 shows exemplary fragments of interest for α-parvalbumin protein which can be found in pike fish;

[0035] FIG. 25 shows exemplary fragments of interest for α-enolase protein which can be found in tuna;

[0036] FIG. 26 shows exemplary fragments of interest for β-enolase protein which can be found in salmon;

[0037] FIG. 27 shows exemplary fragments of interest for β-enolase protein which can be found in carp;

[0038] FIG. 28 shows exemplary fragments of interest for custom-character-enolase protein which can be found in salmon;

[0039] FIG. 29 shows exemplary fragments of interest for custom-character-enolase protein which can be found in salmon;

[0040] FIG. 30 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Tropomyosin protein which can be found in crustacean;

[0041] FIG. 31 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Tropomyosin protein which can be found in crustacean (crab);

[0042] FIG. 32 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Arginine kinase protein which can be found in crustacean (crab);

[0043] FIG. 33 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Vicilins protein which can be found in tree nuts (pecan, walnut);

[0044] FIG. 34 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Vicilins protein which can be found in tree nuts (cashew, pistachio);

[0045] FIG. 35 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Vicilins protein which can be found in tree nuts (macadamia);

[0046] FIG. 36 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Vicilins protein which can be found in tree nuts (almond);

[0047] FIG. 37 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Vicilins protein which can be found in tree nuts (coconut);

[0048] FIG. 38, shows exemplary fragments of interest for Globulin protein which can be found in tree nuts (pecan, walnut, chestnut);

[0049] FIG. 39 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Globulin protein which can be found in tree nuts (cashew, pistachio), the exemplary fragments of FIG. 39 do not show human comparatives;

[0050] FIG. 40 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Globulin protein which can be found in tree nuts (almond);

[0051] FIG. 41 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Globulin protein which can be found in tree nuts (cashew and pistachio);

[0052] FIG. 42 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Profilin protein which can be found in tree nuts (hazelnut);

[0053] FIG. 43 shows exemplary fragments of interest for 2S Albumin protein which can be found in tree nuts (hazelnut);

[0054] FIG. 44 shows exemplary fragments of interest for 2S Albumin protein which can be found in tree nuts (cashew);

[0055] FIG. 45 shows exemplary fragments of interest for LTPs which can be found in tree nuts (hazelnut);

[0056] FIG. 46 shows exemplary fragments of interest for legumins protein which can be found in legumes (pea, chickpea);

[0057] FIG. 47 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Globulins protein which can be found in legumes (soybean, pea, chickpea and peanut);

[0058] FIG. 48 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Globulin-Ara h 1 which can be found in legumes (peanut);

[0059] FIG. 49 shows exemplary fragments of interest for 2S Albumin (Prolamin-Ara h 2) which can be found in legumes (peanut);

[0060] FIG. 50 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Glycinin-Ara h 3 protein which can be found in legumes (peanuts);

[0061] FIG. 51 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Prolamins protein which can be found in legumes (soybean);

[0062] FIG. 53 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Glutenin which can be found in cereals/grains (wheat, rye);

[0063] FIG. 54 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Avenin 3 (prolamin) which can be found in cereals/grains (oat);

[0064] FIG. 55 shows exemplary fragments of interest for Avenin 3 (prolamin) which can be found in cereals/grains (corn);

[0065] FIG. 56 shows exemplary fragments of interest for custom-character-Prolamin which can be found in cereals/grains (wheat, rye, barley);

[0066] FIG. 57 shows fragments of interest for Gliadin (prolamin) which can be found in cereals/grains (wheat);

[0067] FIG. 58 shows fragments of interest for Proline aminopeptidase 1/Leucyl aminopeptidase which can be found in cereals/grains (rice); and

[0068] FIG. 59 shows fragments of interest for Profilin3 protein which can be found in found in cereals/grains (corn).

[0069] Each respective sequence fragment shown in FIGS. 8-59 includes a sequencing identification no. (Seq. Id No.) for ease of reference. The above figures are exemplary, illustrative and non-limiting of the disclosed principles.

DESCRIPTION

[0070] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. It should be noted, however, that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, known methods, procedures, or components have been described at a relatively high level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

[0071] An embodiment of the disclosure relates to substrates that identify, test, or perform assays on substances when the substrates are exposed to the substances. For example, a substrate of the present disclosure may be formed into a strip, which, when submersed in a liquid, may identify the presence of one or more substances or contaminants in the liquid. For example, the present disclosure includes identification of allergens, which are substances that trigger the onset of allergic reactions. Identification of allergens, especially identifying more than one known allergen at a time, is important because knowledge of the presence of allergens affects prevention, care, treatment, and decision making in the relevant fields.

[0072] An example from one subset of the relevant fields includes detection of allergens with respect to human milk fed to children. This knowledge has significant importance in that field. Approximately 80% of food allergies occur before a child's first birthday, and the chance of resolving the allergy in future years may depend on strict avoidance of the offending food. Even a small exposure to the allergen may delay the development of tolerance in a child exhibiting the allergy. Consequently, elimination of the offending food from the child's diet has a significant impact on the child. Moreover, for breast-feeding mothers, elimination of the food from the mother's diet is also often prescribed. This elimination diet can be difficult for the mother for a number of reasons, including the time delay at which point the allergen manifests in the human milk after having been consumed by the mother. More significantly, the inclusion or elimination of a particular food in the mother's diet may not always result in the presence or absence of the corresponding allergen in the human milk. Accordingly, the most accurate means in determining whether an allergen is present in the human milk, and thus the child's diet, is to test the milk itself for the allergen.

[0073] Additionally, even when the allergen associated with a food in a mother's diet does express itself in the human milk, the expression may be delayed for two weeks or more. This may be due to digestive delay in the mother's body. For this reason, if a mother is being put on an elimination diet, the child is placed on infant formula for about two weeks before the mother's human milk can be used again. This interim two-week period negatively impacts both mother and child: the child may experience infant food sensitivity and have other health issues; the mother may lose her milk supply as a result of drying of the human milk. As an additional detriment, extra financial costs are born because infant formula is expensive.

[0074] In the case of adopted children, adoptive parents who adopt a food-sensitive child and wish to receive donated human milk to feed the child experience additional challenges. The parents have no way of determining what substances were consumed by the milk-donating mother prior to pumping human milk and thus have no knowledge of what allergens may exist in the milk. Currently, there are no systems in place for such parents to analyze the milk for allergen or contaminants Therefore, if the child presents with an allergy, for example a dairy allergy, then receiving donated human milk is no longer an option at all. This is true even though it is scientifically proven that human milk is a higher caliber nutrition for the infant than that of formula. This problem is also shared by mother's who are unable to produce milk and want to receive or purchase human milk from others. The practice of donating and receiving human milk is a large and expanding industry that will continue to face such challenges.

[0075] These are but a few examples of many which illustrates the acute need for a substrate that identifies substances, including allergens, by exposure to them. While the above examples are based on the needs associated with detection of allergens in human milk, the disclosed principles are not limited to this field and have much more expansive breadth.

[0076] For example, the present disclosure can be used to detect allergens in cow milk, sheep milk, or milk from other mammals, both for use by humans and for use by their own offspring. Additionally, the present disclosure can be used to detect substances other than allergens. For example, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants. Moreover, the substrate of the present disclosure may be used to detect allergens in other substances other than human milk. For example, drinking water, infant formula, and alternative milks which claim to be free of specific allergens. The substrate of the present disclosure may be used with other liquids as well, including bodily fluids or consumable fluids. Additionally, the substrate of the present disclosure may be used in conjunction with gases, instead of liquids, and be used to determine the presence of one or more substances or contaminants in a gas when the substrate is exposed to the gas.

[0077] With reference to FIG. 1, a substrate 100 is shown. Substrate 100 includes a base 101 and detection sites 102 through 110. Functionally similar parts are depicted with the same reference numbers in all of the figures.

[0078] The base 101 is shown to be a relatively flat rectangular strip in FIG. 1. Nevertheless, it is not limited as such. Base 101 and substrate 100 may be formed in other shapes and geometries. FIG. 4 provides an alternative example of substrate 100 where bases 101 which is in the form of a cylinder. For example, substrate 100 may be round or of any polygonal shape. It may also be configured as a ring, sphere, cube, or with any desired geometry. The geometry of the substance or the base may be chosen arbitrarily, based on manufacturing considerations, based on availability of stock material for use as the substrate, or based on considerations relating to use, including ease of identification, efficacy of packaging and handling, etc. In summary, the substrate, and correspondingly the base, may be created in any size, shape, and geometry that is suitable for the particular application.

[0079] Base 101 may be made from any suitable material including paper or wood byproducts, plastic or polymers, organic matter such as a fabric, woven material, cellulose, cutin, tannin-based material, metal, ceramic, or vinyl. One available and inexpensive option may include paper, such as to allow for maximum liquid absorption with clear result readings. Other examples, in addition to the material named above, may include a matrix of paper or plastic, for example, or any combination of the above-mentioned materials.

[0080] Detection sites 102 through 110 are detection sites on a surface of the substrate 100 that will change, in physical attribute, when brought into contact with a specific substrate to which they are reactive. That is, the presence of a particular offending substance will result in the physical change in portion 102; thereby enabling detection of the offending substance by observing the change in portion 102.

[0081] By way of example, portion 102 may be constructed to react to certain substances or contaminants. One class of an allergens or contaminants is allergen proteins or their derivatives and their corresponding detection antibodies. By way of example, when portion 102 is brought into contact with, or otherwise exposed to, the liquid or gas containing the allergen proteins or their antibodies, it's color may change. One example of a color change may be from white to pink. Naturally, the disclosure is not limited to this example. Rather portion 102, as well as any of the other detection sites, may be constructed to be reactive to a desired offending substance. Additionally, the physical manifestation of the reaction can be in any selected form such as a change in color, odor, texture, or fluorescence. Further, the number of detection sites on substrate 100 need not be 9, as depicted in FIG. 1 with respect to detection sites 102-110. Therefore, the substrate 100 may have one or two or many detection sites such as portion 102. FIG. 3 shows an example of substrate 100 with only two detection sites.

[0082] The number of detection sites depends on the usage and can be customized for various considerations including the number of substances desired to be identified simultaneously, the potential number of substances present, the cost of the strip, the durability and longevity of one portion (reactive to one substance) as compared with another portion (reactive to another substance).

[0083] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, detection sites 102-110 are contemplated to be of a different compound each of which is reactive to a different substance. Specifically, detection sites 102-110 may define active sites or detection sites. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, substrate 100 can detect simultaneously 9 different substances in a particular material. For example, if the material was human milk and substrate 100 was immersed in the human milk, it could detect up to 9 different allergens in the human milk simultaneously. That is, substrate 100 would test for 9 different allergens simultaneously. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is a side view of the substrate 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0084] The number of detection sites is arbitrary and may be subject to the intended use. For example, substrate 100 may include 2, 4 or 20 different active sites. In one embodiment, each active site may be configured to detect a different target molecule. In another embodiment, multiple active sites may be used to detect presence of a single target molecule. In still another embodiment, multiple active sites may be used to detect presence the degree of presence of a single target molecule.

[0085] The dimensions (width, length and thickness) of the active sites 102-110 may be substantially identical or may vary depending on the desired application. For example, at least one of the active sites may be configured to provide a larger surface area so as to increase the exposure area for the desired target.

[0086] FIG. 3 depicts a flat substrate with only two detection sites 102-103. Detection sites 102 and 103 are substantially the same to provide redundancy in the event that one portion does not function properly. Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the substrate 100 tests for a single substance with both or either detection sites 102 and 103. As stated earlier, the number of detection sites, the degree of redundancy, and whether or not a control portion is provided depend on the particular application and may be selected to customize the substrate of the present disclosure for the particular use.

[0087] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the base 101′ is formed in the shape of a cylinder and substrate 100′ is capable of standing upright. Detection sites 102′-109′ (however many are chosen for inclusion) may be placed on the inner surface of base 101′, that is, inside the cylinder. The medium to be tested is placed inside the cylinder so as to come into contact with detection sites 102′-109′, thereby allowing detection of allergens or contaminants. The cylinder may be opaque so that inspection of detection sites 102′-109′ may be performed by looking into the cylinder. It may alternatively be transparent so that inspection can be performed visually from the exterior of the cylinder. In yet another alternative configuration, the cylinder may have a clear window portion on the cylinder formed in front of detection sites 102′-109′ so that detection sites 102′-109′ may be readily viewable from the exterior of the cylinder. Additionally, the cylinder may be, but need not be, formed from a material that is readily tearable, such as paper, so that when a test is complete, the cylinder may be ripped open and laid flat to inspect detection sites 102′-109′. In this latter embodiment, a rip cord or seam for easy separation may be included in the base 101′.

[0088] In yet another embodiment with a similar shape as shown in FIG. 4, the base 101′ may be constructed of several single strips (such as the base depicted in FIG. 3) which are connected together along their edges. Each single strip may include a single (or redundant) detection sites for identifying a single allergen. In this latter configuration, the strips are joined to form the cylinder-like body and the detection sites 102′-109′ will be positioned in a circle on the inside surface of the cylinder. Alternatively, the detection sites may be offset so that each is at a different height with respect to the bottom of the cylinder and the active areas 102′-109′ form a spiral on the surface of the cylinder.

[0089] As stated, the disclosure is not limited for detection of allergens or contaminants in human milk, or even milk, and can be configured to detect any desired number of substances in any desired material. Additionally, even if multiple detection sites were included on one substrate, they need not each detect a different substance—they can all detect the same substance (for example be redundant similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3). Moreover, any combination of number of detection sites and detection capability is contemplated by this disclosure. For example, two detection sites can be included for detecting substance ‘A’ and three detection sites can be included for detection of substance ‘B’ and so on. Detection sites may also be distributed on the surface according to any geometry. In one embodiment, they can be equally spaced on one end of a strip as shown in FIG. 1. They may also be spread across the entire substrate, may be equidistance or not, may be redundantly formed at each edge of the substrate, may be redundantly formed on one edge of the substrate, etc. If the substrate has an alternative geometry, detection sites can be formed on an inside surface, outside surface, on a single surface, on multiple surfaces, redundantly or not, and in any configuration desired. In another example, where the substrate may be in the shape of a cube, multiple detection sites, each reactive to a particular substrate, can be formed on a top surface of the cube and the same configuration of multiple detection sites can be redundantly formed on the remaining three sides, leaving two sides free from the multiple detection sites.

[0090] Detection sites 102-110 (including of course detection sites 102′-109′) may be constructed of any compound that detects a particular substance or group of substances as desired. One class of compounds that detect substances include imprinted polymers which may detect specific proteins. Therefore, if a portion is created from a specific imprint polymer, it is capable of detecting the respective protein. Other examples for detection of allergens in human milk include antibodies and magnetic particles.

[0091] In an example using the configuration as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the detection sites 102-109 can be constructed to detect the presence of the top eight allergens in human milk which may include: egg, dairy, soy, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, and wheat. Portion 110 can be left inert as a blank or a control. Additionally, if the substrate is used in communities or countries that identify a different number of relevant allergens, the number of detection sites can be adjusted to test for all of those—for example, the substrate can test for 12 allergens. Moreover, it is understood that the identification of allergens may change over time and thus detection sites would obviously be configured to detect for the relevant allergens. These variations are equally applicable to the other embodiments disclosed herein, including the embodiment of FIG. 4.

[0092] Naturally, the disclosure is not limited to any particular type or number of allergens. For example, this disclosure could detect as few as a single allergen or any combination of multiple allergens. And as explained above and further expounded below, use of the substrate with human milk for detection of allergens is but one example of its configuration and use to which it is not limited. Other consumable liquids which may benefit from testing using the present disclosure include, but are not limited juice, water, broth, reconstituted powders into liquid (such as protein powder), concentrates, alcoholic beverages, and carbonated drinks Where various liquids may have higher or lower pH, to the extent necessary to adjust the pH to a more neutral level before testing, a test kit which permits adjustment of the pH in preparation for testing may be provided with the substrate.

[0093] The ability to test multiple liquids may be made possible through the particular choice of substrate and the composition of portion. It may alternatively be accomplished by use of an extraction buffer system. An extraction buffer may allow the user to more effectively detect the presence of substances or contaminants within the medium being tested by increasing detection levels to lower amounts (for example a smaller parts per million amount) than practical without use of the extraction buffer.

[0094] In operation, substrate 100 (or 100′) is exposed to the medium to be analyzed (for example, human milk) for the presence of a substance (for example, an allergen). The substrate is brought into contact with the material. If the material is a liquid, substrate 100 may be immersed or submersed in the liquid. If the material is a gas or a solid, the substrate may be brought into contact with the material such detection sites, e.g., 102-110, are directly in contact with the medium. In the case of substrate 100′ the substance is placed inside the cylinder such that detection sites 102′-109′ are directly in contact with the medium. Once detection sites are brought into contact with the medium, they will identify the presence of the substances to which they react if the substances are present. Accordingly, the substrate may be used to detect various substances.

[0095] The present disclosure has been described using some examples as illustrated above. In practice, the disclosure may be formed as one or more substrates which may be provided or sold individually to consumers. Alternatively, one or more of the aspects of the disclosure can be packaged together and sold collectively. Moreover, the present disclosure may be formed into kits which include one or more of the elements of the disclosure included in a kit and provided to consumers. Such kits may be formed with various alternative embodiments for aspects of the disclosure so that the consumer can select and customize their detection kits. The present disclosure may be scaled as noted above and any corresponding kit may include different sizes of components and potentially multiple buffering agents. In summary, the aspects of the disclosure described herein can be adjusted, scaled, and configured as described herein to provide a maximally customizable system or kit.

Substrate

[0096] In one embodiment may comprise a rigid or flexible substrate configured to receive one or more detection areas. In certain embodiments substrate 100 (FIG. 1) may comprise fibrous material such as paper, cardboard and the like. In other embodiments, substrate 100 (FIG. 1) may comprise polymeric material. In still another embodiment, substrate 100 (FIG. 1) may comprise silicate material such as glass. The substrate may be selected based on its ability to receive one or more probes at least one detections site.

[0097] The substrate may be prepared prior to coupling probes thereon, for example, by washing with purified water, solvent, crosslinking agent, functional monomer, polymerization initiator or a surface activating agent.

Probes

[0098] In certain applications, one or more molecular probes may be coupled to the active site (e.g., 102, FIG. 1) of substrate 100 (FIG. 1) to attract and bind a target molecule. In an exemplary embodiment the probe may comprise a binding site. In another embodiment, a portion or all of the probe may be used to bind to the target molecule. The binding site may be selected to at least one of attract and/or bind the probe to the target molecule. Thus, the binding site can be functionally coupled to the probe at one end and to the target molecule at the other end.

[0099] In one embodiment, the probe may comprise a molecule having an active binding site configured to attract and bind to a target molecule. An exemplary probe may comprise a molecular chain, a polymer, a protein epitope or an amino acid chain. In further example, a 14-protein epitope for cow's milk protein P-Lactoglobulin found in human milk is sequence TPEVDDEALEKFDK. An exemplary and non-exhaustive, protein epitope list in TABLE 1 below.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Protein epitope list Annotated Sequence in # Found in Source Human Milk (Zhu, 2019) PSMs Protein Names Organisms 6 Samples Cow’s [R].FFVAPFPEVFGKEK.[V] 110 Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].HIQKEDVPSER.[Y] 69 Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].HPIKHQGLPQEVLNENLLR[F] 41 Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].HQGLPQEVLNENLLR.[F] 28 Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].EGIHAQQKEPMIGVNQELAY 26 Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk FYPELFR.[Q] Protein Cow’s [K].EKVNELSK.[D] 19 Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [R].FFVAPFPEVFGK.[E] 12 Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [R].LHSMKEGIHAQQK.[E] 8 Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].EGIHAQQKEPMIGVNQELAY 6 Alpha-S 1-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk FYPELFR.[Q] Protein CMP or [R].YLGYLEQLLR.[L] 104 Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries CMP or [K].EDVPSER.[Y] 19 Alpha-S 1-casein Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries CMP or [K].TTMPLW.[-] 19 Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries CMP or [K].TTMPLW.[-] 8 Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries Cow’s [K].FALPQYLK.[T] 57 Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [R].NAVPITPTLNR.[E] 29 Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].AMKPWIQPK.[T] 20 Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].TKVIPYVR.[Y] 16 Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].AMKPWIQPK.[T] 2 Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].TKVIPYVRYL[-] 1 Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus 5 Milk Protein CMP [K].ITVDDKHYQK.[A] 18 Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus 6 or Egg and Ovis aries CMP [K].ALNEINQFYQK.[F] 16 Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus 6 or Egg and Ovis aries CMP [K].LTEEEKNRLNFLK.[K] 1 Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus 6 or Egg and Ovis aries and Sus scrota Cow’s [K].AVPYPQR.[D] 24 Beta-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].VKEAMAPK.[H] 22 Beta-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [R].GPFPIIV.[-] 12 Beta-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].VLPVPQKAVPYPQR.[D] 4 Beta-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein CMP or [K].VLPVPQK.[A] 164 Beta-casein Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries CMP or [K].HKEMPFPK.[Y] 9 Beta-casein Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries CMP or [K].HKEMPFPK.[Y] 3 Beta-casein Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries Cow’s [R].SPAQILQWQVLSNTVPAK.[S] 64 Kappa-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [R].FFSDKIAK.[Y] 21 Kappa-casein Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [R].YPSYGLNYYQQKPVALINNQ 1 Kappa-casein Bos taurus 5 Milk FLPYPYYAKPAAVR.[S] Protein CMP or [K].YIPIQYVLSR.[Y] 54 Kappa-casein Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis arias Cow’s [K].AGLCQTFVYGGCR.[A] 44 Pancreatic Bos taurus 6 Milk trypsin inhibitor Protein Cow’s [R].NNFKSAEDCMR.[T] 8 Pancreatic Bos taurus 6 Milk trypsin inhibitor Protein Cow’s [R].IIRYFYNAK.[A] 1 Pancreatic Bos taurus 6 Milk trypsin inhibitor Protein Cow’s [R].TPEVDDEALEKFDK.[A] 19 Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus 6 Milk Protein Cow’s [R].VYVEELKPTPEGDLEILLQK. 4 Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus 6 Milk [W] Protein Cow’s [R].TPEVDDEALEK.[F] 1 Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus 5 Milk Protein CMP or [K].ALPMHIR.[L] 5 Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries CMP or [K].VLVLDTDYKK.[Y] 3 Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries CMP or [K].TKIPAVFK.[I] 2 Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries CMP or [K].ALPMHIR.[L] 1 Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries Cow’s [K].LGSVYTEGGFVEGVNKK.[L] 14 Bile salt- Bos taurus 6 Milk activated lipase Protein (Fragment) Cow’s [K].RAISQSGVGLCPWAIQQDPL 3 Bile salt- Bos taurus 6 Protein FWAK.[R] activated lipase (Fragment) Cow’s [R].CMLDRNEDMLITGGRHPFLA 12 Xanthine Bos taurus 6 Milk R[Y] dehydrogenase/ Protein oxidase Cow’s [R].NQPEPTVEEIEDAFQGNLCR 4 Xanthine Bos taurus 6 Milk [C] dehydrogenase/ Protein oxidase Cow’s [R].CMLDRNEDMLITGGRHPFLA 3 Xanthine Bos taurus 6 Milk R[Y] dehydrogenase/ Protein oxidase Cow’s [R].CMLDRNEDMLITGGRHPFLA 3 Xanthine Bos taurus 6 Milk R[Y] dehydrogenase/ Protein oxidase Cow’s [K].LGCGEGGCGACTVMLSKYD Xanthine Bos taurus 6 Protein RLQDK.[I] dehydrogenase/ oxidase Cow’s [R].VFVQKEILDQFTEEVVKQTQ 11 4- Bos taurus 6 Milk R.[I] trimethyl- Protein aminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase Cow’s [R].VFVQKEILDQFTEEWK.[Q] 3 4- Bos taurus 6 Milk trimethyl- Protein aminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase Cow’s [K].EILDQFTEEVVK.[Q] 1 4- Bos taurus 6 Milk trimethyl- Protein aminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase Cow’s [R].VIATFTCSGEKEVNLAVQDA 1 4- Bos taurus 1 Milk K.[A] trimethyl- Protein aminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase Cow’s [K].ALGGEDVR.[V] 11 Alpha-2-HS-gly Bos taurus 6 Milk coprotein Protein Cow’s [K].TPIVGQPSIPGGPVR.[L] 1 Alpha-2-HS-gly Bos taurus 1 Milk coprotein Protein CMP or [K].HTLNQIDSVK.[V] 2 Alpha-2-HS-gly  Bos taurus 3 Egg coprotein and Ovis aries CMP or [R].GYKHTLNQIDSVK.[V] 2 Alpha-2-HS-gly  Bos taurus 6 Egg coprotein and Ovis aries Cow’s [K].SPPFFEDLTLDLQPPK.[S] 4 Cytoplasmic Bos taurus 6 Milk aconitate hydratase Protein Cow’s [R].ADSLKKNQDLEFER.[N] 4 Cytoplasmic Bos taurus 6 Milk aconitate hydratase Protein Cow’s [K].TVDNFVALATGEKGFGYKDS 3 Peptidyl-prolyl Bos taurus 5 Milk K.[F] cis-trans Protein isomerase B Cow’s [K].GFGYKDSK.[F] 1 Peptidyl-prolyl Bos taurus 6 Milk cis-trans Protein isomerase B Cow’s [R].VYVVDVATEPR.[A] 2 Selenium-binding Bos taurus 6 Milk protein 1 Protein Cow’s [R].LVGQIFLGGSIVK.[G] 1 Selenium-binding Bos taurus 4 Milk protein 1 Protein Cow’s [K].LSISETYDLK.[S] 1 Alpha-1- Bos taurus 4 Milk antiproteinase Protein CMP or [K].AALTIDEK.[G] 1 Alpha-1- Bos taurus 6 Egg antiproteinase and Ovis aries CMP or [K].SVLGDVGITEVFSDR.[A] 1 Alpha-1- Bos taurus 5 Egg antiproteinase and Ovis aries Cow’s [K].QIPLTCIVDK.[R] 6 Metalloendopeptidase Bos taurus 6 Milk OMA1, mitochondrial Protein Cow’s [K].VTISCSGGR.[S] 5 Complement Bos taurus 6 Milk component C7 Protein Cow’s [R].FLEDYFDGNLKR.[Y] 3 Protein disulfide- Bos taurus 6 Milk isomerase A3 Protein Cow’s [R].AIQAAFFYLEPR.[H] 2 Alpha-1-acid  Bos taurus 6 Milk glycoprotein Protein Cow’s [K].YVRPGGGFTPNFQLFEKGD 2 Glutathione Bos taurus 6 Milk VNGEKEQK.[F] peroxidase 3 Protein Cow’s [K].YHALYINALQK.[L] 2 Diacylglycerol O- Bos taurus 6 Milk acyltransferase Protein 2-like protein 6 Cow’s [K].TPTLEKQGK.[K] 2 Synaptonemal Bos taurus 6 Milk complex Protein protein 3 Cow’s [K].LAVPIILR.[V] 1 Alpha-fetoprotein Bos taurus 1 Milk Protein Cow’s [K].VLSGSIEKAK[Q] 1 DNA excision Bos taurus 6 Milk repair protein Protein ERCC-6-like 2 Cow’s [R].TVSISPTK.[K] 1 Fibrous sheath Bos taurus 6 Milk CABYR- Protein binding protein Cow’s [K].LVEFPLVAAWYQR.[I] 1 Glutathione S- Bos taurus 2 Milk transferase C- Protein terminal domain- containing protein Cow’s [K].LQHFFIGNR.[K] 1 Inositol 1,4,5- Bos taurus Milk trisphosphate Protein receptor- interacting protein Cow’s [R].EVSNKIVGYLDEEGVLDQNR 1 Lactoperoxidase Bos taurus 6 Milk [S] Protein Cow’s [R].ATDLVPR.[I] 1 Peroxisomal Bos taurus 6 Milk membrane Protein protein 11A Cow’s [R].FEILPTR.[S] 1 Protein-glutamine Bos taurus 5 Milk gamma-glutamyl- Protein transferase E CMP or [R].GSPAANVGVK.[V] 2 Transthyretin Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries CMP or [K].SSELVSANR.[L] 1 Antithrombin-III Bos taurus 5 Egg and Ovis aries Cow’s [K].LLSTLCSADVCQCAEGK.[C] 1 Complement C4 Bos taurus 1 Milk and Rattus Protein norvegicus CMP or [K].ECHLAQVPSHAVVAR.[S] 1 Lactotransferrin Bos taurus 6 Egg and Ovis aries Rice [R].WCAVAGGRLDSGK[Q] 2 17 kDa alpha- Oryza sativa 1 amylase/trypsin subsp. inhibitor 2 Japonica Rice [K].LFNIIEPDVAVFGK.[K] 1 Pantoate-beta- Oryza sativa 1 alanine ligase subsp. Japonica Rice [K].TIEVDNTDAEGR.[L] 4 Proline Oryza sativa 6 aminopeptidase subsp. 1/Leucyl Japonica and aminopeptidase Gloeobacter violaceus TBD [R].HPGWQGTLK.[A] 17 various 6 nonhuman organisms TBD [K].GLTSLLR.[S] 9 various 6 nonhuman organisms TBD [K].AMIAYWTNFAR.[T] 4 various 6 nonhuman organisms TBD [K].AMIAYWTNFAR.[T] 3 various 6 nonhuman organisms TBD [K].EWLEEGTIAFKNWVK.[T] 2 various 3 nonhuman organisms TBD [R].LGGAEIAR.[T] 2 various 6 nonhuman organisms TBD [-].KIFERCELAR.[T] 1 various 6 nonhuman organisms TBD [K].FESNFNTQATNR.[N] 1 various 3 nonhuman organisms TBD [K].KEWLEEGTIAFK.[N] 1 various 1 nonhuman organisms TBD [R].ADLSGITK.[E] 1 various 6 nonhuman organisms TBD [R].IEYDPNR.[S] 1 various 5 nonhuman organisms TBD [R].LDSPATPERIR.[N] 1 various 4 nonhuman organisms TBD [R].NTDGSTDYGILQINSR.[W] 1 various 4 nonhuman organisms TBD [R].SALFAQINQGESITHALK.[H] 1 various 6 nonhuman organisms TBD [R].YEVPLETPR.[V] 1 various 5 nonhuman organisms

[0100] In certain embodiments, the binding site of the probe may be initially inactive. In this condition, the binding site may be activated before bringing the probe in contact with the target molecule. Activation may include physical, chemical or optical activation. Physical activation may comprise heating the probe to activate the binding site prior to contact with target molecule. Chemical activation may include a chemical reaction to activate (e.g., open the polymer chain) prior to contact with the target molecule. Optical activation may include activation with, for example, UV rays or the like which activate the binding site to engage a target molecule.

[0101] In certain embodiments, a substrate may comprise a plurality of active site. Each detection site may be configured to detect presence of a target molecule. The target molecule may be a protein, a partially digested protein, an epitope or a molecular fraction of a larger molecule that was subjected to human digestion. In an implementation, the detection sites may be configured to exclusively detect the presence of the target molecule. In another implementation, the detection sites may be configured to detect presence of the target molecule without detecting presence of a host protein, a partially digested host protein or other molecular structure commonly present in the host. The target molecule may comprise an allergen, an enzyme, a partially digest enzyme, a protein, an amino acid, or a biopolymer.

[0102] In still another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of detection sites may be configured to detect the presence of fragments of DNA, RNA, or amino acids which are specific to the target molecule. In another embodiment, the plurality of detection sites may be configured to detect the presence of fragments of a DNA, RNA, or amino acids which may be specific to the target molecule and do not occur naturally nor are expectedly present in the host. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of detection sites may be configured to detect the presence of the same fragment of a target molecule. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of target sites may be configured to detect the presence of a different fragment of the same target molecule. The different fragments may be specifically selected from a portions of the target molecule to produce a signature specific and unique to the target molecule.

[0103] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a detection substrate according to one embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, substrate 600 includes detection sites 610, 620 and 630. Each of detection sites 610, 620 and 630 includes a probes 615, 625 and 635, respectively. While each detection site is shown with a plurality of probes, the disclose principles are not limited thereto and a detection site may include one probe.

[0104] In certain embodiments, the probes are configured to detect the presence of a desired target molecule. The target molecule may be an allergen. In some embodiments, the target molecule may be a substance not commonly available in the host. For example, referring to human milk, the target may be a molecule not commonly present in human milk. The target molecule may cause allergic reaction in a baby who consumes the milk. Exemplary and common target molecules include cow's milk protein, Egg, rice and various peanut. The protein of the target molecule may be partially digested in the mother's milk.

[0105] Referring again to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the disclosure uses probes 615, 625 and 635 that are configured to bind to the partially digested target molecule. That is, probes 615, 625 and 635 may be configured to attract and/or couple to the target molecule or a portion of the target molecule. In an exemplary embodiment, probes 615, 625 and 635 may comprise active sites configured to specifically target portions of the target molecule that does not react with human milk or is not digested by the human. In this manner, a principle of the disclosure detects the presence of only non-human proteins.

[0106] In some embodiments of the disclosure, detection of the target molecule may comprise detecting different fragments of the target molecule. The fragments of the target molecule may comprise one or more fragments that are not digested, reaction or otherwise changed in the host (i.e., human body) during digestion. Each fragments may comprise a unique portion of the target molecule such that a combination of the fragment may define a molecular signature of the target molecule. Referring to FIG. 6, for example, each of probes 615, 625 and 635 may be configured to detect the presence of a unique fragment of the larger target molecule. In some embodiments, each fragment may be unique and distinct from the other fragments. In other embodiments, the fragments may have some overlap. Notably, the fragments (whether overlapping or non-overlapping) may be selected such that when their present is detected as detection sites 610, 620 and 630, the presence of the target molecule in the host environment may be discerned with a reasonable certainty. Thus, detection at substrate 600 would be mutually exclusive of the proteins that exist in the host.

[0107] In some embodiments, detection of some (but not all) of the target molecule's signature may be correlated with the probability of target molecule's presence. For example, assume that each of the detection sites 610, 620 and 630 is configured to detect presence of one of three molecular signatures associated with a target molecule (e.g., peanut). Further assume that each of probes 615 and 625 communicate presence of their respective target molecule signature but no such indication is made at detection site 635. This may lead to a conclusion that peanut exists in the host's milk with a probability of 66%.

[0108] As stated, presence of a target molecule may be indicated by the presence of its undigested fragments. Detecting a compilation of undigested fragments may provide sufficient molecular signature to conclude the presence of the target molecule. The fragments may comprise biopolymers having a chain of, for example, 2-10 amino acids, 10-20 amino acids, 20-50 amino acids, 50-100 amino acids, 100-150 amino acids or 150-300 amino acids. In one embodiment, the fragments may comprise biopolymers of 2-1000, 2-500, 2-250, 2-100 and 2-50 amino acids in length.

[0109] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a circuitry for indicating presence of a target molecule according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In FIG. 7, substrate 700 comprises detection sites (DS) 710, 720 and 730. Each of detection site 710, 720 and 730 is configured with one of respective probes 715, 725 and 735. The probes 715, 725 and 735 may be configured to detect different fragments of the same target molecule according to the disclosed principles. Electronic module 750 can be configured to communicate with each of detection sites 710, 720 and 730 independently and register if and when a target molecule (or a fragment thereof) is detected as any of the detection sites 710, 720 and 730.

[0110] The electronic module may comprise one or more microprocessor circuitries and memory circuits to detect presence activation of detection sites 710, 720 and 730 when respective target molecules (or fragments thereof) binds to each site.

[0111] Furthermore, software in the form of specialized application or website can be used in combination with the substrates of the present disclosure, or with test results from the substrates, to give users additional information or diagnostic abilities. For example, software may be provided which functions in conjunction with symptom data, such as, rash, eczema, colic, diarrhea, bloody stool, mucous in stool, constipation, anaphylaxis, gas, hives, or swelling, which a user may input into the software. The software may use algorithms which may combine information from the test results and user inputs to determine which substance may be causing adverse reactions for the user. The software may additionally be configured with input fields for dates, times, and other details of contact with or consumption of various substances or potential allergens or contaminants to determine which substances were causing adverse reactions for the user. The software may optionally provide reports of various analysis, diagnoses, or database of consumption habits of the user. Further still, the software may interface with medical professionals or medical software, including electronic charts or medical diagnostic software, to provide medical and healthcare services to the user, including better diagnosis of potential allergies.

EXAMPLES

[0112] Human milk sample analysis by mass spectrometry or amino acid sequencing yields both human and non-human derived proteins and peptides. Non-human protein and peptide expression in human milk largely originates from the maternal diet. To detect allergenic food proteins in human milk with high sensitivity and low cross-reactivity, food peptide sequences were compared to both human and non-human amino acid sequencing from human milk. Non-human peptide sequences were analyzed to determine their originating whole protein. These sequences vary in length and master protein position due to maternal digestion fluidity. Human protein digestion is dissimilar to other denaturing affects, such as heat or chemical treatment, due to the many factors involved in transferring a dietary protein from mouth to breast tissue through the digestive and circulatory system.

[0113] Many, but not all, allergenic dietary protein sequences have been discovered in human milk samples. Sequences which have been found in human milk were compared to that of similarly structured human proteins. High conservation (correlation) between non-human and human sequence alignment were discounted as possible target sequences due to possible cross reactivity and subsequent false positive results. Similarly, non-human proteins of interest without known human milk sequencing results were compared to both human milk protein sequence results as well as closely conserved human proteins to elucidate which portions of the protein may be targeted while reducing cross reactivity with human samples.

[0114] Analyzed conservation was implemented through UniProt.org protein alignment and NCBI Blastp Suite. Alignment is displayed via the following symbols denoting the degree of conservation observed in each column:

An * (asterisk) indicates positions which have a single, fully conserved residue.
A :′ (colon) indicates conservation between groups of strongly similar properties—scoring>0.5 in the Gonnet PAM 250 matrix.
A .′ (period) indicates conservation between groups of weakly similar properties—scoring=<0.5 in the Gonnet PAM 250 matrix.

[0115] FIG. 7 represents an exemplary listing of sequences relating to different allergens that may be used to identify fragments of interest. Specifically, Table 2 of FIG. 7 identifies allergens including: sequences for bovine (cow) milk, chicken eggs, fish (Pollock, Carp, Cod, Dogfish, Mackerel, Salmon, Sole, Tuna), Crustacean shellfish (Crab, Lobster, Shrimp, Prawn), Tree nuts (Almond, Brazil Nut, Cashew, Chestnut, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Pecan, Pine, Pistachio, Walnut, Coconut), Legumes (Chickpea, Peanut, Pea, Soybean/Soy), and cereal and grains (barley, corn, rice, rye and wheat). Table 2 shows cow milk with the following proteins: α.sub.s1-casein, α.sub.s2-casein, β-casein, κ-casein, Pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, β-lactoglobulin, Lactoferrin, β.sub.2-microglobulin, Serum albumin. Table 2 shows eggs (chicken) with the following proteins: Ovalbumin, Ovotransferrin, Ovoglobulin G2/G3, Ovomucin and Lysozyme. Specifically, Table 1 of FIG. 8 shows the following fish proteins: α-parvalbumin, β-parvalbumin, α-enolase, β-enolase and custom-character-enolase. Table 2 shows the following crustacean proteins: Tropomyosin and Arginine kinase. Table 2 shows the following tree nut proteins: Vicilins, Globulins, Profilins, 2S Albumin (prolamin), LTPs, Tropomyosin and Arginine kinase. Table 2 shows the following legume proteins: Legumins, Globulins, Globulins (Peanut-Ara h 1), Prolamins, 2S Albumin (prolamin) and 2S Albumin (Peanut-Ara h 2). Table 2 shows the following cereal and grain proteins: Glutenin (Wheat, Rye), Avenin 3 (Oat), Glutenin 2 (Corn), Gliadin, custom-character-Prolamin (Wheat, Rye, Barley), Proline aminopeptidase 1 (Rice) and Profilin 3 (Corn).

[0116] As stated, an exemplary implementation of one embodiment of the disclosure relates to identifying non-human proteins in human milk to thereby identify potential allergy sources. Table 3 shows exemplary non-human protein sequences found in human milk Specifically, Table 3 shows annotated sequences in human milk, its corresponding protein name and its organism.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 3   Annotated non-human sequences in human milk. Source Annotated Sequence in Human Milk Protein Names Organisms Cow’s [R].VFVQKEILDQFTEEVVKQTQR.[I] 4- Bos taurus Milk trimethylaminobutyraldehyde Protein dehydrogenase Cow’s [R].VFVQKEILDQFTEEWK.[Q] 4-trimethylaminobutyraldehyde Bos taurus Milk dehydrogenase Protein Cow’s [K].EILDQFTEEVVK.[Q] 4-trimethylaminobutyraldehyde Bos taurus Milk dehydrogenase Protein Cow’s [R].VIATFTCSGEKEVNLAVQDAK..[A] 4- Bos taurus Milk trimethylaminobutyraldehyde Protein dehydrogenase Cow’s [R].AIQAAFFYLEPR.[H] Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].LSISETYDLK.[S] Alpha-1 -antiproteinase Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].AALTIDEK.[G] Alpha-1 -antiproteinase Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].SVLGDVGITEVFSDR.[A] Alpha-1 -antiproteinase Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].ALGGEDVR.[V] Alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].TPIVGQPSIPGGPVR.[L] Alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].HTLNQIDSVK.[V] Alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [R].GYKHTLNQIDSVK.[V] Alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s AQFVPLPVSVSVEFAVAATDCIAK Alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].LAVPIILR.[V] Alpha-feto protein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s GGVSLPEWV Alpha-lactalbumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s LDQWLCEKL Alpha-lactalbumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s NICNISCDKFLDD Alpha-lactalbumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s ENLLRFFVA Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s EKVNELSK Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s FFVAPFPEVFGK Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s HIQKEDVPSER Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s HQGLPQEVLNENLLR Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s YLGYLEQLLR Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].FFVAPFPEVFGKEK.[V] Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].HIQKEDVPSER.[Y] Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].HPIKHQGLPQEVLNENLLR.[F] Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].HQGLPQEVLNENLLR.[F] Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].EGIHAQQKEPMIGVNQELAYFYPELFR. Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk [Q] Protein Cow’s [K].EKVNELSK.[D] Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].FFVAPFPEVFGK.[E] Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].LHSMKEGIHAQQK.[E] Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].EGIHAQQKEPMIGVNQELAYFYPELFR. Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus Milk [Q] Protein Cow’s [R].YLGYLEQLLR.[L] Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].EDVPSER.[Y] Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].TTMPLW.[-] Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].TTMPLW.[I] Alpha-S1-casein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].FALPQYLK.[T] Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].NAVPITPTLNR.[E] Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].AMKPWIQPK.[T] Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].TKVIPYVR.[Y] Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].AMKPWIQPK.[T] Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].TKVIPYVRYL.[-] Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].ITVDDKHYQK.[A] Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].ALNEINQFYQK.[F] Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].LTEEEKNRLNFLK.[K] Alpha-S2-casein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein and Sus scrota Cow’s [K].SSELVSANR.[L] Antithrombin-III Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s HEQGMDQDKN APC, WNT signalling Bos taurus Milk pathway regulator Protein Cow’s SSLSDIDQENNNNK APC, WNT signalling Bos taurus Milk pathway regulator Protein Cow’s TLQIAEIKDNSGPRSNED APC, WNT signalling Bos taurus Milk pathway regulator Protein Cow’s VYVEQLKPTPEGDLEILLQK Beta lactoglobulin D Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s DLKLVEQQNPK Beta-1,4- Bos taurus Milk galactosyltransferase 1 Protein Cow’s [L].PQNIPPLTQ Beta-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s QPLPPTVM Beta-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s PVVVPPFLQPE.[V] Beta-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].AVPYPQR.[D] Beta-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].VKEAMAPK.[H] Beta-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].GPFPIIV.[-] Beta-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].VLPVPQKAVPYPQR.[D] Beta-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].VLPVPQK.[A] Beta-casein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].HKEMPFPK.[Y] Beta-casein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].HKEMPFPK.[Y] Beta-casein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s VALNKLK Beta-galactosidase Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s ALPMHIR Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s IDALNENK Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s LIVTQTMK Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s LSFNPTQLEEQCHI Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s TKIPAVFK Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s TPEVDDEALEK Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s TPEVDDEALEKFDK Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s VLVLDTDYKK Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s VYVEELKPTPEGDLEILLQK Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s WENDECAQK Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s WENDECAQKK Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s SLAMAASDISLLDAQSAPLR Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].TPEVDDEALEKFDK.[A] Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R]VYVEELKPTPEGDLEILLQK.[W] Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].TPEVDDEALEK.[F] Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].ALPMHIR.[L] Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].VLVLDTDYKK.[Y] Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].TKIPAVFK.[I] Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].ALPMHIR.[L] Beta-lactoglobulin Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [K].LGSVYTEGGFVEGVNKK.[L] Bile salt-activated lipase Bos taurus Milk (Fragment) Protein Cow’s [K].RAISQSGVGLCPWAIQQDPLFWAK.[R] Bile salt-activated lipase Bos taurus Milk (Fragment) Protein Cow’s NVTRQAYWQIHMDQ Cathepsin D Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s NIIKSGSDEVQ Complement C3 Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].LLSTLCSADVCQCAEGK.[C] Complement C4 Bos taurus and Milk Rattus Protein norvegicus Cow’s [K].VTISCSGGR.[S] Complement component C7 Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].SPPFFEDLTLDLQPPK.[S] Cytoplasmic aconitate Bos taurus Milk hydratase Protein Cow’s [R].ADSLKKNQDLEFER.[N] Cytoplasmic aconitate Bos taurus Milk hydratase Protein Cow’s EKESLGWQK Desmoplakin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].YHALYINALQK.[L] Diacylglycerol O- Bos taurus Milk acyltransferase 2-like Protein protein 6 Cow’s [K].VLSGSIEKAK.[Q] DNA excision repair protein Bos taurus Milk ERCC-6-like 2 Protein Cow’s VNLLVDRQWQAVRNR Ectonucleotide Bos taurus Milk pyrophosphatase Protein Cow’s QNLAFVSMLNDIAAP Fatty acid synthase Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].TVSISPTK.[K] Fibrous sheath CABYR- Bos taurus Milk binding protein Protein Cow’s [K].YVRPGGGFTPNFQLFEKGDVNGEKEQ Glutathione peroxidase 3 Bos taurus Milk K.[F] Protein Cow’s [K|.LVEFPLVAAWYQR.[I] Glutathione S-transferase Bos taurus Milk C-terminal domain- Protein containing protein Cow’s NGEGQVLFETEISR Heat shock 70 kDa protein Bos taurus Milk 13 Protein Cow’s VSITCSGSSSNIGR Immunoglobulin light chain Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].LQHFFIGNR.[K] Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate Bos taurus Milk receptor-interacting protein Protein Cow’s IKVMNDLSPKSNLR Interferon gamma Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s ESTVATLED Kappa-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s IESPPEI Kappa-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s SCQAQPTTMAR Kappa-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].SPAQILQWQVLSNTVPAK.[S] Kappa-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].FFSDKIAK.[Y] Kappa-casein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].YPSYGLNYYQQKPVALINNQFLPYPYY Kappa-casein Bos taurus Milk AKPAAVR.[S] Protein Cow’s [K].YIPIQYVLSR.[Y] Kappa-casein Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s [R].EVSNKIVGYLDEEGVLDQNR.[S] Lactoperoxidase Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s NLLFNDNTECLAK Lactotransferrin/Lactoferrin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].ECHLAQVPSHAWAR.[S] Lactotransferrin/Lactoferrin Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s ESPQTHYY Lactotransferrin/Lactoferrin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s GSNFQLDQL.[Q] Lactotransferrin/Lactoferrin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s VAWKKGSN Lactotransferrin/Lactoferrin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s YEELGTEY Lactotransferrin/Lactoferrin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s EKQLPNGDWPQENISGVFNKSCA Lanosterol synthase Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s KLLNNITNDLR Macrophage scavenger Bos taurus Milk receptor Protein Cow’s [K].QIPLTCIVDK.[R] Metalloendopeptidase Bos taurus Milk OMA1, mitochondrial Protein Cow’s QMERALLENE Moesin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s IQQNSSTTEKI Mucin-16 Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s KFNITDTLMQ Mucin-16 Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s EHLYQENQYLEQENTQ Ninein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s QEELENRTSETNTPQGNQEY Ninein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s NKHSNLIESQENSK Osteopontin-K, Osteopontin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].AGLCQTFVYGGCR.[A] Pancreatic trypsin inhibitor Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].NNFKSAEDCMR.[T] Pancreatic trypsin inhibitor Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].IIRYFYNAK.[A] Pancreatic trypsin inhibitor Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].TVDNFVALATGEKGFGYKDSK.[F] Peptidyl-prolyl cistrans Bos taurus Milk isomerase B Protein Cow’s [K].GFGYKDSK.[F] Peptidyl-prolyl cistrans Bos taurus Milk isomerase B Protein Cow’s [R].ATDLVPR.[I] Peroxisomal membrane Bos taurus Milk protein 11A Protein Cow’s [R].FLEDYFDGNLKR.[Y] Protein disulfide-isomerase Bos taurus Milk A3 Protein Cow’s [R].FEILPTR.[S] Protein-glutamine gamma- Bos taurus Milk glutamyltransferase E Protein Cow’s [R].VYVVDVATEPR.[A] Selenium-binding protein 1 Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].LVGQIFLGGSIVK.[G] Selenium-binding protein 1 Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s CASFRENVLR Serotransferrin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s AEFVEVTK Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s DAFLGSFLYEYSR Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s DLGEEHFK Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s DTHKSEIAHR Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s DVCKNYQEAK Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s FKDLGEEHFK Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s HLVDEPQNLIK Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s LVNELTEFAK Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s QNCDQFEK Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s RHPEYAVSVLLR Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s SLHTLFGDELCK Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s TCVADESHAGCEK Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s GKYLYEIAR Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s KQTALVELLK Serum albumin Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [K].TPTLEKQGK.[K] Synaptonemal complex Bos taurus Milk protein 3 Protein Cow’s [R].GSPAANVGVK.[V] Transthyretin Bos taurus and Milk Ovis aries Protein Cow’s HHIELRWK Uncharacterized protein Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s QKYGVVKENVIDLTK Uncharacterized proteins Bos taurus Milk Protein Cow’s [R].CMLDRNEDMLITGGRHPFLAR.[Y] Xanthine Bos taurus Milk dehydrogenase/oxidase Protein Cow’s [R].NQPEPTVEEIEDAFQGNLCR.[C] Xanthine Bos taurus Milk dehydrogenase/oxidase Protein Cow’s [R].CMLDRNEDMLITGGRHPFLAR.[Y] Xanthine Bos taurus Milk dehydrogenase/oxidase Protein Cow’s [R].CMLDRNEDMLITGGRHPFLAR.[Y] Xanthine Bos taurus Milk dehydrogenase/oxidase Protein Cow’s [K].LGCGEGGCGACTVMLSKYDRLQDK.[I] Xanthine Bos taurus Milk dehydrogenase/oxidase Protein Cow’s NGNNPNCCMNQK Xanthine Bos taurus Milk dehydrogenase/oxidase Protein Grain QFKPEEMTNIIK Profilin-3 Zea mays (Corn) Grain QQQTLQQILQQQ Alpha/beta-gliadin A-III Triticum (Wheat) aestivum Grain QVLQQSSYQQLQQ Alpha/beta-gliadin A-III Triticum (Wheat) aestivum Legume RPSHQQPR Allergen Ara h 1, Seed Arachis hypogaea & (Peanut) storage protein Ara h 1 Arachis duranensis Legume QQVVELQGDRR Allergen Ara h 2 Arachis hypogaea (Peanut) Legume ANLRPCEQHLMQK Allergen Ara h 2 Arachis hypogaea (Peanut) Legume CCNELNEFENNQRCMCEALQQIMENQSD Allergen Ara h 2 Arachis hypogaea (Peanut) R Legume NLPQQCGLR Allergen Ara h 2 Arachis hypogaea (Peanut) Legume CDLEVESGGR Allergen Ara h 2 Arachis hypogaea (Peanut) Rice [R].WCAVAGGRLDSGK.[Q] 17 kDa alpha- Oryza sativa subsp. amylase/trypsin inhibitor 2 japonica Rice [K].LFNIIEPDVAVFGK.[K] Pantoate beta-alanine Oryza sativa subsp. ligase japonica Rice [K].TIEVDNTDAEGR.[L] Proline aminopeptidase Oryza sativa subsp. 1/Leucyl aminopeptidase Japonica and Gloeobacter violaceus TBD [R].HPGWQGTLK.[A] various nonhuman organisms TBD [K].GLTSLLR.[S] various nonhuman organisms TBD [K].AMIAYWTNFAR.[T) various nonhuman organisms TBD [K].AMIAYWTNFAR.[T] various nonhuman organisms TBD [K].EWLEEGTIAFKNWVK.[T] various nonhuman organisms TBD [R].LGGAEIAR.[T] various nonhuman organisms TBD [-].KIFERCELAR.[T] various nonhuman organisms TBD [K].FESNFNTQATNR.[N] various nonhuman organisms TBD [K].KEVVLEEGTIAFK.[N] various nonhuman organisms TBD [R].ADLSGITK.[E] various nonhuman organisms TBD [R].IEYDPNR.[S] various nonhuman organisms TBD [R].LDSPATPERIR.[N] various nonhuman organisms TBD [R].NTDGSTDYGILQINSR.[W] various nonhuman organisms TBD [R].SALFAQINQGESITHALK.[H] various nonhuman organisms TBD [R].YEVPLETPR.[V] various nonhuman organisms TBD EQVQELR various nonhuman organisms TBD MQDQLDQVQK various nonhuman organisms TBD KELKKVEADGEND various nonhuman organisms TBD QIANSDEVEKI various nonhuman organisms TBD KCAADESAENCDK various nonhuman organisms TBD KEPERNECFLQHK various nonhuman organisms TBD PCFSALQVDETYVPK various nonhuman organisms TBD YICENQDSISTK various nonhuman organisms TBD SALQVDETYVPK various nonhuman organisms

[0117] FIGS. 8-59 show exemplary allergen sequences for different allergens presented in relation to Table 2 of FIG. 7. Specifically, FIGS. 8-59 show fragments of interest (highlighted in the allergen's annotated sequence) which does not overlap with the human milk. Detecting presence of the highlighted portion in an active detection site according to the disclosed principles, can help identify presence of the allergen in the human milk composition. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of detection sites associated with the substrate may include one or more of the highlighted sequence fragment.

[0118] FIG. 9 shows exemplar fragments of interest for protein α.sub.s1-casein which can be found in bovine milk. More specifically, FIG. 9 shows four bovine sequences along with four corresponding human sequences. Each of the highlighted portions 901 and 902 (line 55), 903 and 904 (line 106), 905, 906 (line 166) and 907 (line 214) denotes a specific fragment of the α.sub.s1-casein sequence which does not overlap with human milk sequence. Each of lines 55, 96, 137 and 185 denotes the corresponding sequence from human milk Thus, a detection of any one or more of these sequences will indicate presence of α.sub.s1-casein protein which may cause allergic reaction.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 9, for example, a substrate may be configured to detect presence of fragments 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906 and 907 in seven (7) different detection sits. On one exemplary embodiment, a substrate (600, FIG. 6) may be configured to have two or more detection sites (610, FIG. 6) to detect one or more of the fragments 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906 and 907.

[0120] In another embodiment, the number of detection sites may be devised to correlate the number of detectable fragments. For example, seven detection sites may be used to detect each of the seven fragments 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906 and 907. In still another embodiment, multiple detection sites may be used to detect presence of each of the fragments 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906 and 907. For example, a substrate with six detection sites may be used to detect the presence of fragments 901 and 902.

[0121] The following illustrative and non-limiting examples are provided to further represent some of the embodiments of the disclosure. These examples are used to illustrate the disclosed principles.

[0122] Example 1 relates to a method to detect presence of one or more allergen molecules in a composition of mammalian milk, the method comprising: providing a substrate having a plurality of detection sites thereon, each of the plurality of detection sites configured to detect presence of one or more allergen molecules; exposing the plurality of detection sites to a quantity of mammalian milk; detecting presence of a first allergen molecule at a first of the plurality of detection sites by detecting a fragment of DNA, RNA, or amino acids corresponding to the first allergen molecule; wherein the detected fragment excludes naturally occurring molecules present in the composition of mammalian milk.

[0123] Example 2 relates to the method of example 1, wherein at least one of the detection sites comprises a probe with an active binding site.

[0124] Example 3 relates to the method of example 2, wherein the step of detecting presence of the first allergen molecule further comprising selecting a first probe with a first active binding site to bind to the fragment of the DNA, RNA, or amino acids corresponding to the first allergen molecule.

[0125] Example 4 relates to the method of example 2, wherein the first active binding site does not bind to a naturally occurring fragment of the mammalian milk.

[0126] Example 5 relates to the method of example 1, wherein the detected fragment defines a selected portion of a DNA, RNA, or amino acid sequence associated with the allergen.

[0127] Example 6 relates to the method of example 1, wherein the composition of mammalian milk excludes the selected portion of DNA, RNA, or amino acid sequence.

[0128] Example 7 relates to the method of example 1, wherein each of the plurality of detection sites is configured to detect presence of a respective allergen molecule.

[0129] Example 8 relates to the method of example 1, wherein each of the plurality of detection sites is configured to detect presence of a different fragment of the first allergen molecule.

[0130] Example 9 relates to the method of example 1, further comprising detecting presence of a second allergen molecule at a second of the plurality of detection sites.

[0131] Example 10 relates to the method of example 1, wherein the allergen molecule is selected from the group consisting of cow's milk protein, egg, fish, crustacean, tree nut, legume, cereals, grains, or other known immune reactive groups.

[0132] Example 11 relates to the method of example 1, further comprising detecting presence of the first allergen molecule by detecting a plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments encoding a portion of the first allergen molecule.

[0133] Example 12 relates to the method of example 1, further comprising detecting presence of a third allergen molecule at a third of the plurality of detection sites.

[0134] Example 13 relates to the method of example 1, wherein between two and ten allergen molecules are detected wherein each allergen has a detection site in the plurality of detection sites.

[0135] Example 14 relates to the method of example 1, wherein between two and five allergen molecules are detected wherein each allergen has a detection site in the plurality of detection sites.

[0136] Example 15 relates to the method of example 1, wherein a panel of at least two allergen molecules are detected, wherein each allergen has a detection site (or sites) in the plurality of detection sites.

[0137] Example 16 relates to the method of example 1, wherein a panel of at least three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten allergen molecules are detected, wherein each allergen has its own detection site (or sites) in the plurality of detection sites.

[0138] Example 17 relates to the method of example 11, wherein a particular DNA or RNA fragment is associated with a particular allergen molecule.

[0139] Example 18 relates to the method of example 17, wherein one or more allergen has an amino acid sequence shown in any of the Figures herein or in the specification.

[0140] Example 19 relates to the method of example 17, wherein one or more allergen has an amino acid sequence shown in Figures.

[0141] Example 20 relates to the method of example 1, wherein the detection of a combination of two or more particular allergens in combination is indicative of an allergy to a known food or drink consumed by the mammal.

[0142] Example 21 relates to the method of example 11, wherein the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments comprise overlapping portions.

[0143] Example 22 relates to the method of example 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments is substantially different from the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments.

[0144] Example 23 relates to an apparatus to detect presence of one or more allergen molecules in a composition of mammalian milk, the apparatus comprising: a substrate having a plurality of detection sites thereon, each of the plurality of detection sites configured to detect presence of one or more allergen molecules when exposed to a quantity of mammalian milk; at least one detection site having a probe with an active site, the active site configured to bind to a fragment of DNA, RNA, or amino acids corresponding to a first allergen molecule to thereby detect the presence of a first allergen molecule in the quantity of mammalian milk; and wherein the detected fragment excludes naturally occurring molecules present in the composition of mammalian milk.

[0145] Example 24 relates to the apparatus of example 23, wherein at least one of the detection sites comprises a probe with an active binding site.

[0146] Example 25 relates to the apparatus of example 24, wherein the probe with an active binding site is selected to bind to the fragment of the DNA, RNA, or amino acids corresponding to the first allergen molecule.

[0147] Example 26 relates to the apparatus of example 25, wherein the first active binding site does not bind to a naturally occurring fragment of the mammalian milk.

[0148] Example 27 relates to the apparatus of example 23, the detected fragment defines a selected portion of a DNA, RNA, or amino acid sequence associated with the allergen.

[0149] Example 28 relates to the apparatus of example 23, wherein the composition of mammalian milk excludes the selected portion of DNA, RNA, or amino acid sequence.

[0150] Example 29 relates to the apparatus of example 23, wherein each of the plurality of detection sites is configured to detect presence of a respective allergen molecule.

[0151] Example 30 relates to the apparatus of example 23, wherein each of the plurality of detection sites is configured to detect presence of a different fragment of the first allergen molecule.

[0152] Example 31 relates to the apparatus of example 23, wherein one of the plurality of active sites is configured to bind to a fragment of DNA, RNA, or amino acids corresponding to a second allergen molecule to thereby detect the presence of a second allergen molecule in the quantity of mammalian milk.

[0153] Example 32 relates to the apparatus of example 23, wherein the allergen molecule is selected from the group consisting of cow's milk protein, egg, fish, crustacean, tree nut, legume, cereals, grains, or other known immune reactive groups.

[0154] Example 33 relates to the apparatus of example 23, further comprising detecting presence of the first allergen molecule by detecting a plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments with each fragment encoding a portion of the first allergen molecule.

[0155] Example 34 relates to the apparatus of example 33, wherein the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments comprise overlapping portions.

[0156] Example 35 relates to the apparatus of example 33, wherein at least one of the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments is substantially different from the plurality of DNA, RNA, or amino acid fragments.

[0157] Except as stated above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

[0158] It should be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

[0159] All patents, publications, scientific articles, web sites, and other documents and materials referenced or mentioned herein are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and each such referenced document and material is hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if it had been incorporated by reference in its entirety individually or set forth herein in its entirety. Applicants reserve the right to physically incorporate into this specification any and all materials and information from any such patents, publications, scientific articles, web sites, electronically available information, and other referenced materials or documents.

[0160] The specific methods and compositions described herein are representative of preferred embodiments and are exemplary and not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Other objects, aspects, and embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of this specification, and are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, or limitation or limitations, which is not specifically disclosed herein as essential. Thus, for example, in each instance herein, in embodiments or examples of the present invention, any of the terms “comprising”, “consisting essentially of’, and “consisting of may be replaced with either of the other two terms in the specification. Also, the terms “comprising”, “including”, containing”, etc. are to be read expansively and without limitation. The methods and processes illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in differing orders of steps, and that they are not necessarily restricted to the orders of steps indicated herein or in the claims. It is also that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Under no circumstances may the patent be interpreted to be limited to the specific examples or embodiments or methods specifically disclosed herein. Under no circumstances may the patent be interpreted to be limited by any statement made by any Examiner or any other official or employee of the Patent and Trademark Office unless such statement is specifically and without qualification or reservation expressly adopted in a responsive writing by Applicants.

[0161] The terms and expressions that have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intent in the use of such terms and expressions to exclude any equivalent of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as claimed. Thus, it will be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0162] The invention has been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the generic disclosure also form part of the invention. This includes the generic description of the invention with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised material is specifically recited herein.

[0163] Other embodiments are within the following claims. In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.