Pistachio Test Kits for Lab and On-Site Detection

The pistachio plant is a small tree that produces seeds within hard shells. These seeds are widely consumed as food. Pistachio kernels are often eaten raw or roasted, but they are also frequently used in ice cream, confections, baked goods or salads.

Pistachios consist of about 20% of proteins, of which many of the individual proteins are known to cause allergic reactions. The symptoms are very diverse and range from itchiness, swellings and skin rushes to severe gastrointestinal or cardiovascular problems, which may even lead to a life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

Allergic individuals must strictly avoid the consumption of pistachios or pistachio-containing food. Cross-contaminations during production processes can often not be excluded, so sensitive pistachio detection methods are required.

Tree nuts are considered one of the most frequent causes of food allergy, with pistachio allergy being among them. Allergic reactions to pistachio usually develop during the early stages of life and often persist for the lifetime.

The only treatment of a pistachio allergy is a strict and lifelong avoidance of pistachios. In order to protect consumers from the potentially fatal consequences of pistachio consumption, allergen labeling is required by law in many countries. Pistachios, along with other tree nuts, are regulated for example in the EU (Regulation (EU) No 1169/201) and the U.S. (FDA – FALCPA 2004).

The Romer Labs pistachio test kit portfolio covers ELISAs and LFDs for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of pistachio in environmental samples, rinse waters and finished food products.