Biogenic Amines Analysis
Biogenic Amines
A group of biogenic active amines are neurotransmitters, like Acetylcholine, Catecholamines (e.g. Dopamine, Adrenalin and Noradrenalin) or Serotonin. The analysis of these neurotransmitters is important to diagnose oncological, neurological or neuropsychiatric disorders.
The biogenic monoamines and polyamines are important for growth, renovation, and metabolism in organs and for high metabolic activity of the normal functioning and immunological system of the gut.
They can act as free radical scavengers or have antioxidants activity.
However, Biogenic amines can be present in food, which induce toxicological risks and health troubles.
Biogenic amines can be produced by fermentation or bacterial decarboxylation of amino acids. Therefore, any foodstuff produced by fermentation or exposed to microbial contamination during processing or storage may contain Biogenic amines:
Precursor Amino Acid
- Histidine
- Tyrosine
- Hydroxytryptophan
- Tryptophan
- Lysine
- Ornithine
- Arginine
Biogenic Amines
- Histamine
- Tyramine
- Serotonin
- Tryptamine
- Cadaverine
- Putrescine
- Agmatine, Spermine, Spermidine
In many different types of food, Biogenic amines can be detected:
| Food | Biogenic amines found |
| Fish | Histamine, tyramine, cadaverine, putrescine, agmatine, spermine and spermidine |
| Cheese | Histamine, tyramine, cadaverine, putrescine, β-phenylethylamine and tryptamine |
| Fermented vegetables | Histamine, tyramine, cadaverine, putrescine and tryptamine |