Biogenic Amines And Food Safety

Biogenic amines are bioactive compounds distributed in foods of all origins. Apart from their fundamental role in many bodily functions, there has recently been great interest in their toxicological potential, much research is being carried out to understand their occurrence related to both desired and undesired fermentative phenomena, chemical spoilage, low hygienic conditions, wrong handling, and criticism about technological factors of process and storage conditions. All these causes can contribute to a higher content of biogenic amines in food, particularly of those hazardous to human health. This book aims to collect scientific studies looking for new tools to limit the over-production of biogenic amines in food, search for new food sources of biogenic amines, and to spotlight the concept of safe food and bioactive amines content.

A precise analysis of biogenic amines is important as an indicator of food freshness or spoilage that can cause serious toxicity. This book provides comprehensive background information on biogenic amines and their occurrence in various foods and drinks such as fermented and non-fermented sausages and fish products, cheeses, vegetables and beverages, e.g. beer, cider and wine. It gives a detailed description of both the established analytical methods and the emerging technologies for the analysis of them. As the first book on the detection of biogenic amines in all types of food, it provides help to get a better understanding of the risks associated with biogenic amines and how to avoid them. It serves as an excellent and up-to-date reference for food scientists, food chemists and food safety professionals.

Biogenic amines have been known for some time. These compounds are found in varying concentrations in a wide range of foods (fish, cheese, meat, wine, beer, vegetables, etc.) and their formations are influenced by different factors associated to those foods (composition, additives, ingredients, storage, microorganism, packaging, handing, conservation, etc.). The intake of foods containing high concentrations of biogenic amines can present a health hazard. Additionally, they have been used to establish indexes in various foods in order to signal the degree of freshness and/or deterioration of food. Nowadays, there has been an increase in the number of food poisoning episodes in consumers associated with the presence of these biogenic amines, mainly associated with histamines. Food safety is one of the main concerns of the consumer and safety agencies of different countries (EFSA, FDA, FSCJ, etc.), which have, as one of their main objectives, to control these biogenic amines, principally histamine, to assure a high level of food safety. Therefore, it is necessary to deepen our understanding of the formation, monitoring and reduction of biogenic amines during the development, processing and storage of food, even the effect of biogenic amines in consumers after digestion of foods with different levels of these compounds. With this aim, we are preparing a Special Issue on the topic of "Biogenic Amines in Food Safety", and we invite researchers to contribute original and unpublished research articles and reviews articles that involve studies of biogenic amines in food, which can provide an update to our knowledge of these compounds and their impacts on food quality and food safety.

Biogenic amines have been known for some time. These compounds are found in varying concentrations in a wide range of foods (fish, cheese, meat, wine, beer, vegetables, etc.) and their formations are influenced by different factors associated to those foods (composition, additives, ingredients, storage, microorganism, packaging, handing, conservation, etc.). The intake of foods containing high concentrations of biogenic amines can present a health hazard. Additionally, they have been used to establish indexes in various foods in order to signal the degree of freshness and/or deterioration of food. Nowadays, there has been an increase in the number of food poisoning episodes in consumers associated with the presence of these biogenic amines, mainly associated with histamines. Food safety is one of the main concerns of the consumer and safety agencies of different countries (EFSA, FDA, FSCJ, etc.), which have, as one of their main objectives, to control these biogenic amines, principally histamine, to assure a high level of food safety.Therefore, it is necessary to deepen our understanding of the formation, monitoring and reduction of biogenic amines during the development, processing and storage of food, even the effect of biogenic amines in consumers after digestion of foods with different levels of these compounds.With this aim, we are preparing a Special Issue on the topic of ""Biogenic Amines in Food Safety"", and we invite researchers to contribute original and unpublished research articles and reviews articles that involve studies of biogenic amines in food, which can provide an update to our knowledge of these compounds and their impacts on food quality and food safety.

Biogenic amines are bioactive compounds distributed in foods of all origins. Apart from their fundamental role in many bodily functions, there has recently been great interest in their toxicological potential, much research is being carried out to understand their occurrence related to both desired and undesired fermentative phenomena, chemical spoilage, low hygienic conditions, wrong handling, and criticism about technological factors of process and storage conditions. All these causes can contribute to a higher content of biogenic amines in food, particularly of those hazardous to human health. This book aims to collect scientific studies looking for new tools to limit the over-production of biogenic amines in food, search for new food sources of biogenic amines, and to spotlight the concept of safe food and bioactive amines content.

Biogenic amines (BA) are sources of nitrogen and precursors for synthesis of hormones, alkaloids, nucleic acids and proteins, occurring in all organisms. Under normal condition in humans the consumption of food or beverages containing these compounds have not toxic effects because they are rapidly detoxified by the activity of the amine oxidizing enzymes, monoamine (MAO) and diamine oxidases (DAO). However in presence of high BA content, in allergic individuals or if MAO inhibitors are applied the detoxification system is not capable of metabolizing dietary intake of BA. This fact can induce toxicological risks and health troubles, but the European Union established regulation for just only histamine levels in fish and fishery products. The presence of BA in foods is due to the enzymatic decarboxylation of free amino acids by microorganisms that possess this activity. Many foods such as meat products, cheeses, fishes, fermented products and beverages could contain high levels of these compounds. Determination of BA rates in food are important as indicators of the degree of freshness or spoilage other then from the point of view of their toxicology. The content of the E-Book deals the presence of BA in some fermented and non fermented foods and the measures to control their content.

It is widely accepted that increased consumption of seafood is important in dealing with growing health problems such as cardiovascular disease. Based on a major EU Integrated Research Project, SEAFOODplus, this important book reviews the range of research into consumer attitudes towards seafood and the key issues in improving the safety, nutritional and sensory quality of seafood products to meet consumer expectations. After an introductory chapter the book is divided into six parts. The first part of the book reviews consumer attitudes to seafood, including regional differences, the impact of eating quality on product preferences, consumer information needs and attitudes to processed seafood products. Part two discusses research on the important health benefits of seafood consumption in such areas as gastrointestinal health, heart disease and the health of children and young adults. In Part three, the book reviews key seafood safety issues and how they can be managed, from virus contamination and pathogens to histamine and biogenic amines. The following two parts then discuss the range of technologies designed both to optimise the sensory and health benefits of seafood and ensure animal welfare in aquaculture operations. The final part of the book reviews traceability issues. Improving seafood products for the consumer is a valuable reference for the seafood processing industry, and all those concerned with improving the consumption of seafood products. Reviews the range of research into consumer attitudes towards seafood Discusses key issues in improving the safety, nutritional and sensory quality of seafood products Examines the range of technologies available to improve the quality and ensure animal welfare

Safety of Meat and Processed Meat provides the reader with the recent developments in the safety of meat and processed meat, from the abattoir along the processing chain to the final product. To achieve this goal, the editor uses five approaches. The first part deals with the main biological contaminants like pathogen microorganisms, specially E. coli and L. monocytogenes, toxins and biogenic amines that can be present either in meat or its derived products. The second part focuses on main technologies for meat decontamination as well as developments like active packaging or bioprotective cultures to extend the shelf life. The third part presents non-biological contaminants and residues in meat and meat products including nitrosamines, PAH, veterinary drugs and environmental compounds. The fourth part discusses current methodologies for the detection of microorganisms, its toxins, veterinary drugs, environmental contaminants and GMOs, and the final part deals with predictive models, risk assessment, regulations on meat safety, consumer perception, and other recent trends in the field. This book is written by distinguished international contributors with excellent experience and reputation. In addition, brings together advances in different safety approaches.