PASSION FRUIT ALLERGY
Key Allergens
Passion fruit is an edible fruit in the Passifloraceae family of plants. They can be red, yellow, green or purple in colour.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has not formally added any specific allergens to their allergen nomenclature database for passion fruit, but there have been studies which show the fruit contains both chitinase and hevein proteins. These are both proteins associated with latex allergy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has not formally added any specific allergens to their allergen nomenclature database for passion fruit, but there have been studies which show the fruit contains both chitinase and hevein proteins. These are both proteins associated with latex allergy.
Food Intolerances
Passion fruit is a low FODMAP food. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.
Passion fruit is also a food low in salicylates. Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.
You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.
Associated Syndromes
The plant involved in latex allergy Hevea brasiliensis, the rubber tree plant, has an allergen called Hev b 11 which is a chitinase protein. Those very sensitised to latex may have a contact allergic reaction from foods, plants or insects containing similarly shaped proteins. This gives this protein an important role in Latex Food Syndrome.
Cross Reactivity
Chitinase proteins are found in avocado, banana, cashews, chestnuts, corn, grape, kiwi, mango and pomengranate.
Hevein proteins are found in apricot, avocado, banana, buckwheat, dill, goji berry, plantain, potato, swede and turnip.
Note these food lists are not exhaustive, you can find the most up to date information on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Hevein proteins are found in apricot, avocado, banana, buckwheat, dill, goji berry, plantain, potato, swede and turnip.
Note these food lists are not exhaustive, you can find the most up to date information on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Resources
Websites
Allergen Encyclopedia - Passion Fruit
Science Direct - Passion Fruit
ATP Science - Salicylate Foods
Articles and Journals
Editorial: Spotlight on allergy research in Asia, 2024
Allergy to moth plant (Araujia sericifera) and passion fruit, 2023
Suppressive effect of ethanol extract from passion fruit seeds on IgE production, 2017
Clinically relevant cross-reactivity between latex and passion fruit, 2009
Latex allergy: are you at risk? 2001
"Latex-fruit syndrome": frequency of cross-reacting IgE antibodies, 1997
Allergy to latex and papain, 1995
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