ALLERGEN - COCONUT (COCOS NUCIFERA)

Overview

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) belongs to the genus Cocos and Arecaceae family. It is a synoicous plant that can grow around 72 ft and is found commonly along the tropical, subtropical, and coastal areas worldwide. Coconut plant comes from the tropical regions of Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. Coconut is used worldwide for various purposes like for cooking, as a medicine, for dermatology products, and for making handicrafts. Coconut contains multiple allergens such as Coc n 1 (7S globulin), Coc n 2 and Coc n 4 (11S globulin) protein. Coconut allergy is a rare phenomenon, but it can lead to conditions such as bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and anaphylaxis. Immunotherapy is effective in reducing symptoms of coconut allergy. Cross-reactivity is observed between coconut and macadamia, almond, walnuts, hazelnuts and lentils, latex, and this is mainly due to allergens such as 7S and 11S globulins.