Correlation between Biogenic Amines and Their Precursors in Stored Chicken Meat

Biogenic amines (BAs) are biologically active substances found in the cells of microorganisms, plants, and animals. These BAs serve many vital functions in the body. However, an excessive amount can be toxic, especially for individuals taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) and diamine oxidase (DAO) inhibitors. They primarily form in products rich in amino acids, the primary substrates for BA formation. The aim of this study was to determine the formation of BAs and their precursor amino acids in chicken breast and leg muscles stored under chilling conditions. Analyses of BA and AA determinations were conducted on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 of muscle storage. There was a noted increase in BAs with the storage of both muscle types (p < 0.05). Distinct levels of BAs were detected (p < 0.05) in the muscles, except for putrescine (p > 0.05). Interactions emerged between the two factors for various Bas, including histamine (p = 0.001), tyramine (p < 0.001), BAI index (p < 0.001), tryptamine (p < 0.001), agmatine (p = 0.001), spermidine (p < 0.001), TOTAL BA-1 (p < 0.001), and TOTAL BA-2 (p = 0.016). There was no evident interaction between the type of meat and storage time concerning amino acid content (p > 0.05). Correlations in breast muscles were observed for biogenic amine-amino acid pairs such as putrescine-ornithine (r = -0.57) (p < 0.05), spermidine-ornithine (r = -0.73) (p < 0.05), and phenylethylamine-phenylethylalanine (r = -0.50) (p < 0.05). In leg muscles, significant correlations were found for histamine-histidine (r = -0.87) (p < 0.05), putrescine-ornithine (r = -0.96) (p < 0.05), and phenylethylamine-phenylethylalanine (r = -0.65) (p < 0.05). The results obtained can be used in the future to estimate the levels of BAs with knowledge of the levels of individual amino acids and inversely.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine the formation of biogenic amines (BAs) and their precursor amino acids in chicken breast and leg muscles stored under chilling conditions. The results showed a significant increase in BAs in both muscle types during storage, and distinct levels of BAs were detected in the muscles.