Food News

Biogenic amines are nitrogenous compounds generated primarily by the action of microorganisms through the enzymatic decarboxylation of amino acids present in food. Among the most relevant from a health-hygiene and toxicological perspective are histamine, cadaverine, putrescine, tyramine, tryptamine, spermine, spermidine, and phenylethylamine. 

Biogenic amines are organic compounds that form naturally in certain foods such as oily fish (especially scombrids), as well as in fermented products such as cheese, wine, beer, and sausages, among others. Their presence at high levels is usually associated with defective fermentation processes or poor hygiene during food manufacturing, handling, or preservation. The analysis of biogenic amines such as histamine, tyramine, cadaverine, putrescine, tryptamine, spermine, spermidine, and phenylethylamine is essential in both human and animal nutrition, as they act as indicators of the product's hygienic and sanitary quality. Furthermore, some of them, such as histamine, can cause significant adverse effects in the body. Ingestion of high concentrations of histamine can cause histaminosis (histamine intolerance), a reaction that affects the digestive system, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, hormonal system, and skin. For all these reasons, the monitoring and control of these compounds is essential to ensure food safety and protect consumer health.

AGROLAB Ibérica (Tarragona) has developed a method for the simultaneous determination of the main biogenic amines in all types of food and feed using liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a photodiode array detector (PDA). The method, based on the UNE-EN ISO 19343:2017 standard, has been validated for the determination of histamine, cadaverine, putrescine, tyramine, tryptamine, spermine, spermidine, and phenylethylamine. This validation was carried out using a wide variety of foods as well as products representative of the feed sector. As a result, we have expanded our scope of accreditation according to ISO/IEC 17025 for the determination of biogenic amines in food and feed, with a quantification limit of 10 mg/kg for each of these biogenic amines.

YOUR PLUS: AGROLAB Ibérica offers you accredited biogenic amine analysis for all types of food and feed. Your analysis request will be accepted by any AGROLAB food analysis laboratory.

Authors: Susana Poveda, Dra. Isabel Gómez , AGROLAB Iberica