Aerobiology, allergenicity and biochemistry of Madhuca indica Gmel. pollen.

An ASTIR volumetric sampler was used for one year (May 1995-April 1996) for aerobiological survey at Beharampore town, a centrally located representative part of West Bengal, to record the occurrence and frequency of airborne Madhuca pollen. The highest frequency of Madhuca pollen was recorded in April when the weather was dry with low relative humidity (RH) and moderately high temperature. Clinical test (skin prick test) showed Madhuca pollen to be one of the major causes of respiratory allergy. 30-60% (NH(4))(2)SO(4) cut fraction showed maximum positivity in skin prick test. Biochemical analysis showed that Madhuca pollen was rich in lipid and protein. SDS-PAGE was performed with the total soluble pollen protein which showed a total of 6 major protein bands, while in isolated fraction (Fr. II) a total of 7 protein bands were obtained.