Biologically Active Amines Found In Man

Biologically Active Amines Found in Man: Their Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Pathophysiological Importance deals with the biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathophysiology of biologically active amines present in the human body. Emphasis is placed on amines derived by decarboxylation of α-amino acids in human beings and some of their especially interesting metabolites. This book consists of four chapters and opens with an overview of biogenic amines and their origin, followed by a discussion on their biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. The metabolism and inactivation of biologically active amines such as tyramine, dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, tryptamine, serotonin, and histamine are examined, along with their incorporation into the body protein and their rate of turnover. The influence of biologically active amines on the function of the kidneys, microcirculation, and respiratory metabolism is also considered. Finally, illnesses in which indigenous amines have known or possible/probable pathophysiological significance are described. This monograph will be of interest to biologists, biochemists, pharmacologists, and pathophysiologists.

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 (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.

Advances in Biotechnology, Volume IV: Current Developments in Yeast Research covers the proceedings of the Fifth International Yeast Symposium. The book presents several papers that discuss several aspects of yeast. Comprised of 95 chapters and organized into eight sections, the book first discusses the industrial and agricultural uses of yeast, and then covers genetics. The third section reviews sporulation and conjugation. Section IV tackles biochemistry, while Section V and Section VI talk about taxonomy, ecology, and cell cycle. The seventh section covers the Phaff symposium and the last section reviews the plenary lectures. The book will be of great interest to researchers and professionals such as botanists and agriculturists who have an interest in understanding the various aspects of yeast.

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.

This report considers the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may underlie the pathogenicity of tobacco smoke. Many Surgeon General's reports have considered research findings on mechanisms in assessing the biological plausibility of associations observed in epidemiologic studies. Mechanisms of disease are important because they may provide plausibility, which is one of the guideline criteria for assessing evidence on causation. This report specifically reviews the evidence on the potential mechanisms by which smoking causes diseases and considers whether a mechanism is likely to be operative in the production of human disease by tobacco smoke. This evidence is relevant to understanding how smoking causes disease, to identifying those who may be particularly susceptible, and to assessing the potential risks of tobacco products.