4.3. Delivery of vaccine to the gut

Vaccines, being protein are likely to be degraded in the stomach. But in the case of edible vaccine it has been found that orally administered plant material can induce immune response. There is a difficulty of dose adjustment when edible vaccines are consumed as a part of food stuff. Instead of the direct use of plant material, a food based tablet containing a known dose of vaccine has been produced. This approach is being applied to vaccines produced in tomatoes.

 

4.4. Limitations of edible vaccines

Direct consumption of transgenic fruit or vegetable or food based tablets have some problems.

• •  The risk of loss of vaccines by the action of enzymes in stomach and intestine.

•  The possibility of allergic reactions as they enter circulation.