Formation of biogenic amines by Gram-negative bacteria isolated from poultry skin

The aim of this study is to explore production of biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine, agmatine, spermine and spermidine) by 88 Gram-negative bacteria isolated from poultry skin (41 isolates of family Enterobacteriaceae, 21 isolates of genus Aeromonas, 16 isolates of genus Pseudomonas, and 10 isolates of other Gram-negative rods), Ion-exchange chromatography was employed to analyse the above mentioned amines. Enterobacteria were found to be the largest producers of amines with proved presence of tyramine, agmatine, putrescine, and cadaverine in cultivation broth after incubation of bacteria. Putrescine and cadaverine were the most abundant products. Presence of at least two biogenic amines, i.e. mainly concurrent presence of putrescine and cadaverine, was revealed in 19 enterobacteria strains. Eleven isolates classified into Aeromonas genus produced putrescine and five of them also formed cadaverine. The other observed biogenic amines (histamine, spermine and spermidine) were not found among tested isolates. Production of biogenic amines by any Pseudomonas family isolates was not proved. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.