Biogenic amines and polyamines and total aerobic count during storage of vacuum-packaged porcine kidney, liver and spleen

Biogenic amines and polyamines (cadaverine, histamine, 2-phenylethylamine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine, tryptamine and tyramine) were analysed in vacuum-packaged porcine livers, kidneys and spleens stored at 3 degrees C and 7 degrees C (for up to 6 days) or 0 degrees C (for up to 21 days). Total aerobic count, pH and sensory assessment were done in parallel. While histamine, 2-phenylethylamine and tryptamine concentrations were nearly constant, spermidine and spermine showed a moderately declining trend, irrespective of the storage temperature. Cadaverine, putrescine and tyramine concentrations increased with storage time and temperature. Maximum concentrations at day 21 at 0 degrees C were: 122 mg/kg for cadaverine, 207.35 mg/kg for putrescine and 63.19 mg/kg for tyramine. The correlation of concentrations of the latter three amines and the total aerobic count was ranging from r = 0.54 to 0.89. A significant rise in amine concentrations was observed only when the total aerobic count exceeded 6 log(10) cfu/g. Concentrations of cadaverine, putrescine and tyramine may be useful to confirm spoilage of vacuum-packaged inner organs. The fraction of the potential food-borne pathogen Aeromonas in high-pH organs (spleen, kidney) during storage was significantly higher than in liver, with low pH. It was observed that the spermine:spermidine ratio of spleen (3:2; weight base) was significantly different from that of liver and kidney (4:1).