doi:10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.113512engEsteban-Sanz, ClaraTobajas, Ana P.Gracia, Ana P.Civera, AlbaSánchez, LourdesArias, EstherPérez, María D.Variety, maturity stage and postharvest storage time effect on Mal d 3 allergen from apple (Malus domestica)ART-2025-143255Fruit belonging to Rosaceae family, which includes apples, is responsible for 60 % of fruit allergies. Mal d 3, a member of the lipid transfer proteins, is the most allergenic protein of apple. Levels of total soluble protein and Mal d 3 were determined in apple peel as a function of variety, maturity stage and postharvest storage time under controlled atmosphere conditions, using a previously developed specific sandwich ELISA. Mal d 3 content differed among varieties, ranging from 13.6 mg kg−1 in ‘Golden Delicious’ to 23.6 mg kg−1 in ‘Verde Doncella’. No significant influence of the maturity stage on Mal d 3 concentration was found. Over a 7-month period of storage under controlled atmosphere, the levels of Mal d 3 decreased about 1.6–2.3 times. No correlation was found between Mal d 3 concentration and total soluble protein in apple peel samples. A better understanding of how Mal d 3 concentration is affected by pre and postharvest factors could assist to decrease the allergen load of apple.2025http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/15168210.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.113512http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/151682oai:zaguan.unizar.es:151682info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/A20-23RPostharvest Biology and Technology 225 (2025), 113512 [8 pp.]by-nc-ndhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.esinfo:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess