CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ALLERGENIC COMPONENTS OF PAPER MULBERRY'S (BROUSSONETIA PAPYRIFERA L.) POLLENS

Abstract

Broussonetia papyrifera is considered as the world's worst alien invasive species. It is listed as one of the six worst plant invaders in Pakistan by The International Union for the Conservation of Nature. During spring season, mainly from February until April proximity, paper mulberry peak pollen count value goes above 55000 per m3 which is considered as a the main contributor towards allergy problem ofIslamabad. - With the changing climatic conditions adverse effects of Broussonetia papyrifera are also increasing. As a consequence symptoms related to pollen hypersensitivity reaction are also changing. Allergy patients are directly showing aggravated symptoms of persistent cough and difficulty in breathing at their early stage of disease. In order to explore the aspects related to the allergenicity of Broussonetia papyrifera, three different methodologies were applied. Firstly a survey based study was conducted to identify the patterns of allergy symptoms in allergy patients. Survey based study showed that allergy patients were having seasonal rhinitis and symptoms of asthma. Additionally a high percentage of patients up to 71.4% were having aggravated symptoms in the month of March. Which is mostly reported for the peak pollen values of Broussonetia papyrifera. Secondly pollen palynological studies were conducted to identify different features of Broussonetia papyrifera pollen. To study morphology of pollen light and scanning electron microscopy was used. Study has shown that pollen size was very small and pore size was large as compare to previous reports. Finally protein characterization study for Brossonetia papyrifera pollen was conducted using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Pollen protein extraction was carried out using PBS buffer and Coca's extract. Protein concentration was very low as maximum value obtain with PBS buffer was 2.4 )lg per 50 Ill. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shown a notable band. of 75 kDa. Presences of such higher molecular weight protein band indicates the high proteolytic stability of pollen protein. It is evident from the results that there is strong connection between the allergy symptoms in the pollination month of Broussonetia papyrifera. Variations in the pollen morphology and presence of highly stable protein in the pollen of Broussonetia papyrifera can contribute to allergenicity. However, extensive research is required to fully characterize all the pollen proteins of Broussonetia papyrifera, which can lead to the development of rational strategies to control allergy issue in Islamabad.