Rapid Determination and Confirmation of Biogenic Amines in Tuna Loin by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Using Ethylchloroformate Derivative

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method is described for the easy rapid determination and simultaneous confirmation of the biogenic amines putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), histamine (HTA), and spermidine (SPD) in fresh frozen tuna loin. The method can also be used to monitor tyramine (TYR). The method involves homogenization of fish tissue, extraction of biogenic amines into trichloroacetic acid solution, centrifugation, alkalization, and derivatization of supernatant with ethylchloroformate. All seafood species were fortified to contain 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 12.5, and 25.0 μg/g (ppm) PUT, CAD, and SPD; and 10.0, 20.0, 40.0, 50.0, and 100.0 μg/g (ppm) HTA. Determination was based on standard curves for each analyte using peak areas with matrix standards equivalent to a concentration range bracketing the spike level. A set of 5 matrix controls (unfortified tuna tissue) was also analyzed; only endogenous SPD was found in all samples. The interassay average recoveries ranged from 57 to 79% across analytes and spike levels.