MULTIDETECTION, SEMIQUANTITATIVE METHOD FOR DETERMINING BIOGENIC-AMINES IN FOODS

A detection and semiquantitative determination method of eight biogeni c amines (histamine, cadaverine, putrescine, phenylethylamine, tyramin e, tryptamine, spermine and spermidine) in foods has been described. T he complete resolution of the dansylated derivatives of amines from ea ch other and from background interference by one-dimensional TLC was o btained by a multiple development technique. The first developing solv ent system was chloroform/benzene/triethylamine (6:4:1 v/v/v) and the second one was benzene/acetone/triethylamine (10:2:1 v/v/v). Identific ation was achieved with the help of co-developed standards and estimat ion was achieved visually. As little as 5 or 10 ng of dansylamines cou ld be detected on TLC plates, depending on the type of amine involved. About 2 h are needed for separation and quantitation of amine content s of 14 samples simultaneously. The method has been successfully used to screen fish and meat products and cheese samples for their contents of biogenic amines. The method may be used in the food industry and f or routine surveillance of biogenic amines in food.