ABSTRACT
The concentration of biogenic amines, i.e., histamine, putrescine, and cadaverine were studied as indicators of Mystus nemurus muscle quality under different storage conditions, namely, ambient (28 ± 2C), chilled (10 ± 2C) and in iced (2 ± 1C) temperature. The biogenic amine contents were found to correlate with the free amino acids contents. The level of biogenic amines increased in accordance with decreasing free amino acids during storage (P < 0.05). The cadaverine level reached a peak, 186.24 mg/g, after 24 h at ambient temperature, 371.98 mg/g after 10 days at 10C, and 385.49 mg/g after 20 days at iced temperature. Unacceptable levels were reached after 12 h at ambient, 8 days at 10C and 16 days at 2C. Putrescine increased at a slower rate than histamine and cadaverine. The present study demonstrated the potential of cadaverine production as a quality indicator of M. nemurus during storage.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
The present study demonstrated the presence of biogenic amines in Mystus nemurus. These findings are important considering M. nemurus fish is widely consumed and therefore is in high demand especially in Southeast Asia, where the highest population density is found. A better understanding of the safety and quality of M. nemurus is indeed required for the benefit of consumers. This research highlights the significance of measuring biogenic amines, mainly cadaverine and histamine, as essential indicators for the quality of M. nemurus and other products derived from it, in particular in Southeast Asia, where the storage conditions of fish products in most markets are not optimal.