Natural antibodies to dietary proteins: the existence of natural antibodies to alliinase (Alliin lyase) and mannose-specific lectin from garlic (Allium sativum) in human serum.

It is known that human serum contains natural antibodies to self and non-self proteins. We wished to determine whether normal human serum contains antibodies to dietary proteins that were never injected. We found that human serum contains antibodies to the two major proteins from cloves of garlic (Allium sativum) which is used as a flavorigard dietary food additive. The antibodies found were directed against alliinase and mannose-specific Allium sativum agglutinin (ASA). The antibodies were purified by affinity chromatography on their corresponding antigens. The purified immunoglobulins were mainly of the IgG and IgM classes and could be divided into two categories--specific and crossreactive. The anti-alliinase antibodies were highly specific, while anti-ASA antibodies were polyreactive. Some of the possible reasons for this difference in specificity are suggested.