Biogenic amines formation and their importance in fermented foods

Abstract

Biogenic amines (BAs) are low molecular weight organic bases with an aliphatic, aromatic, or heterocyclic structure which have been found in many foods. biogenic amines have been related with several outbreaks of food-borne intoxication and are very important in public health concern because of their potential toxic effects. The accumulation of biogenic amines in foods is mainly due to the presence of bacteria able to decarboxylate certain amino acids. Biogenic amines are formed when the alpha carboxvl group breaks away from free amino acid precursors. They are colled after the amino acid they originated from. The main biogenic amines producers in foods are Gram positive bacteria and cheese is among the most commonly implicated foods associated with biogenic amines poisoning. The consumption of foods containing high concentrations of biogenic amines has been associated with health hazards and they are used as a quality indicator that shows the degree of spoilage, use of non-hygienic raw material and poor manufacturing practice. Biogenic amines may also be considered as carcinogens because they are able to react with nitrites to form potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines. Generally, biogenic amines in foods can be controlled by strict use of good hygiene in both raw material and manufacturing environments with corresponding inhibition of spoiling microorganisms. The aim of this review was to give some information about biogenic amines in foods.