Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Pharmacy - Department of Biochemistry

Pollen grains have been found to be responsible for causing human respiratory allergic disordersThe date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L) pollen rarely studied , has been found to be a possible cause of allergic diseasesThis study highlights the characterization and allergenicity of the extracted protein from the date palm pollen grains , which are predominantly airborne in EgyptDate Palm pollen grains were first subjected to extractionA colorimetric method was used to measure its protein contentSodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS - PAGE) and gel filtration chromatography were used to separate the three major fractions with the following molecular weights : 824 , 725 and 33 kDa to be collectively used as our extractBased on history , clinical examination , total serum Ig E and spirometry ; 40 male and female adults ranging in age from (25 - 72) , were selected for this studyThey were all resident in areas where date palm trees are abundantThey were divided into Group I : 20 patients with asthmand / or rhinitisGroup II : 20 apparently healthy volunteers as controlThey were subjected to the following : a) Complete blood count , SPT , specific Ig E using ELISA technique to detect specific Ig E against date palm pollens

Issued also as CD