Determination of Biogenic Amines (Histamine): Food Safety and Health Risks

What are Biogenic Amines (Histamine)?

What are Biogenic Amines and Histamine?

Biogenic amines are nitrogenous organic compounds formed during the decarboxylation of amino acids. These compounds are usually formed during fermentation, spoilage and some specialized processing processes. Histamine is one of the most common biogenic amines and can be found in particularly high amounts in certain foods. Histamine is derived from the amino acid histidine and has several biological functions in the body, such as regulating immune responses.

Histamine in food products is often associated with the following conditions:

Fermented Foods: Histamine concentration may be elevated in fermented products such as cheese, wine, sausages.
Fish Products: Bacterial activity can lead to histamine production, especially in fish such as tuna, mackerel and sardines, when proper storage conditions are not provided.

Why is Histamine Determination Performed?

Histamine poses a significant threat to food safety because when ingested in high amounts, it can lead to health problems such as histamine poisoning (scumbrotoxin poisoning). This poisoning can be manifested by symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hot flashes and heart palpitations.

Histamine determination is performed for the following reasons:

To Prevent Health Risks: High levels of histamine can cause food poisoning. Therefore, the detection of histamine is important to minimize health risks.
Monitoring Food Quality: Food manufacturers and regulators monitor biogenic amine levels to ensure the quality and safety of their products.
Compliance with Legislation and Standards: Many countries have legal limits for histamine levels in foods. Exceeding these limits can prevent products from being placed on the market.

Biogenic amines, especially histamine, are compounds that pose significant health risks to food safety. Determination of histamine is a critical analysis process to ensure the safety of food products and prevent potential poisoning. Various determination methods, such asHPLC, enzymatic methods and spectral analysis, help food manufacturers and controllers manage this risk. Furthermore, legal regulations and food safety standards mandate the control of biogenic amines in food production processes. Regular testing is essential to protect the health of consumers.

Nano-lab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Biogenic Amines (Histamine) Determination. We also provide services in Hormone and Antibiotic Determination.

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