ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Selection of low-allergen trees is under consideration for the reduction of Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis. The extraction method of Cry j 2 was established and then the variation of Cry j 2 concentrations in pollen among Sugi trees was investigated. METHODS: The extraction efficiency of Cry j 2 was compared among buffers with different pH, ionic species and NaCl concentration. The Cry j 2 concentration in the pollen of 140 trees was measured using the most efficient buffer. RESULTS: NaHCO3 (0.125 M) + 0.5 M NaCl buffer showed the highest Cry j 2 extraction efficiency. The mean and standard deviation of Cry j 2 concentration among 140 trees was 404 +/- 189 microg/g pollen, which was equivalent to that of Cry j 1 (435 +/- 169 microg). CONCLUSION: We revealed that the variation of Cry j 2 concentrations was as large as that of Cry j 1 in the pollen among trees using the newly developed extraction method.
