The Protein Level and Molecular Weight Analysis in Different Children's Toothpaste, which Probably Induced Hypersensitivity

CONTEXT: A new case of an allergic reaction due to the use of toothpaste was found in California, United States, causing the death of an 11-year-old girl. Ingredients contained in toothpaste suspected as a cause of allergies are milk protein compounds. AIMS: The aim is to compare the protein level and molecular weight in children's toothpaste. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Stratified random sampling. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Samples used were children's toothpaste products in society, namely, Pepsodent(®), Cussons(®), Enzyme(®), Kodomo(®), Formula(®), Colgate(®), the toothpaste contain recaldent of GC Tooth Moose(®) and pure cow's milk. Those samples were divided into eight groups, randomly selected according to the purpose (stratified random sampling), and then coded to maintain product confidentiality. Meanwhile, samples used as comparison groups were recaldent paste and pure cow's milk. RESULTS: Each sample was analyzed for protein content using a biuret test and protein molecular weight using the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis test. The protein content in toothpaste is compared with the similarity of the molecular protein weight in toothpaste that contains recaldent. Protein was found in samples 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 through a biuret test, with a concentration of 1.82; 1.53; 2.76; 1.92; 1.85; and 3.2 μg/mL. However, the protein bands were only found in sample 5 with a molecular weight of 20.7 kDa, sample 6 with a molecular weight of 19.1 kDa, sample 7 with a molecular weight of 17.7 kDa, and sample 8 with 2 bands, namely, 28.7 and 39.7 kDa. CONCLUSIONS: We found the presence of protein in children's toothpaste. The protein molecular weight of recaldent paste is 17.7 kDa. Toothpaste containing protein with its molecular weight similar to recaldent's are found in samples 5 and 6.