A review of dietary polyamines: Formation, implications for growth and health and occurrence in foods

Effects of temperature, pH and NaCl content on in vitro putrescine and cadaverine production through the growth of Serratia marcescens CCM 303

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of temperature (10, 20 and 37°C), pH (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8), and NaCl content (0, 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6% w/v) on the growth and putrescine and cadaverine production of Serratia marcescens CCM 303 under model conditions. The decarboxylase activity of S. marcescens was monitored in broth after cultivation. The cultivation medium was enriched with selected amino acids (ornithine, arginine and lysine; 0.2% w/v each) serving as precursors of biogenic amines. Levels of putrescine and cadaverine in broth were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography after pre-column derivatisation with o-phthalaldehyde reagent. S. marcescens produced higher amounts of putrescine (up to 2096.8 mg L(-1)) compared to cadaverine content (up to 343.3 mg L(-1)) in all cultivation media. The highest putrescine and cadaverine concentrations were reached during cultivation at 10-20°C, pH 5-7 and NaCl content 1-3% w/v. On the other hand, the highest BAs production of individual cell (recalculated based on a cell; so called "yield factor") was observed at 10°C, pH 4 and salt concentration 3-5% w/v as a response to environmental stress.

Biologically active amines in fermented and non-fermented commercial soybean products from the Spanish market

Biologically active amines were determined in commercial soybean products. The antioxidant polyamines were found in both non-fermented and fermented soybean products. Natto and tempeh showed the highest content of polyamines (75-124 and 11-24 mg/kg of spermidine and spermine, respectively). On the other hand, the bacterial-related biogenic amines, tyramine, histamine, tryptamine and β-phenylethylamine, were detected in practically all fermented products with a high variability. The highest contents were found in sufu, tamari and soybean paste. Extremely high tyramine and histamine contents, 1700 and 700 mg/kg, respectively, found in some sufu samples could be unhealthy. However, biogenic amines observed in the other soybean products should not be a risk for healthy consumers. However, individuals who take monoamine and diamine oxidase inhibitors drugs should be strongly recommended to avoid this kind of products in order to suffer no adverse health effects. These biogenic amines were not detected in non-fermented soybean products.

Effects of packaging, mineral oil coating, and storage time on biogenic amine levels and internal quality of eggs

This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the effects of mineral oil application on eggshells and the use of plastic packages with lids on the physical-chemical and microbiological quality and biogenic amine contents of eggs stored under refrigeration for up to 125 d. A total of 1,920 eggs from 46-wk-old Hyline W36 laying hens were randomly distributed into 4 groups soon after classification: (i) 480 eggs were stored in pulp carton tray packages; (ii) 480 eggs were stored in plastic packages with lids; (iii) 480 eggs were stored in carton packages after the application of mineral oil; and (iv) 480 eggs were stored in plastic packages with lids after the application of mineral oil. The internal quality was measured by Haugh units, by the counts of mesophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms, by the most probable number of total and thermal-tolerant coliforms, by the counts of molds and yeasts, by the analysis of Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus spp., and by the levels of biogenic amines in the egg yolk and albumen. The application of mineral oil to the eggshell resulted in higher Haugh unit values throughout storage, and the use of plastic packages altered the internal quality. The application of mineral oil and the use of packaging had no effects on the microbiological and biogenic amine results. Microbiological analyses showed the absence of Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, thermal-tolerant coliforms, and fungi. However, the highest counts of mesophilic (1.1 × 10(7) cfu/g) and psychrotrophic (6.7 × 10(7) cfu/g) microorganisms were recorded. The highest values of biogenic amines detected and quantified were putrescine (2.38 mg/kg) and cadaverine (7.27 mg/kg) in the egg yolk and putrescine (1.95 mg/kg), cadaverine (2.83 mg/kg), and phenylethylamine (2.57 mg/kg) in the albumen. Despite these results, the biogenic amine levels recorded were considered low and would not be harmful to consumer health.

Nontargeted metabolomics reveals biochemical pathways altered in response to captivity and food limitation in the freshwater mussel Amblema plicata

Effective conservation of freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae), one of the most endangered groups of animals in North America, is compromised by limited knowledge of their health. We address this gap in knowledge by characterizing the metabolic profile of Amblema plicata in the wild and in response to captivity and food limitation. Eight mussels brought into captivity from the wild were isolated for 18 days without a food source. Hemolymph samples were taken prior to, and 9 and 18 days after the start of the experiment; these samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We detected and identified 71 biochemicals in the hemolymph of freshwater mussels; of these, 49 showed significant changes during captivity and/or food limitation (p<0.05). Fasting resulted in severe metabolite depletion. Captive (but fed) mussels experienced changes similar to (albeit less severe than) fasting mussels, suggesting that mussels may experience nutritional deficiency under common captive conditions. A. plicata responded to food limitation stress by preferentially using energy reserves for maintenance rather than growth. Carbohydrate and energy metabolism exhibited down-regulation in captive, food-limited, and wild mussels. Lipid metabolism was up-regulated in captive/food-limited mussels and unchanged in wild mussels. Amino acid metabolism was up-regulated in wild mussels and down-regulated in captive/food-limited mussels. Nucleotide metabolism was up-regulated in the wild mussels, down-regulated in food-limited mussels, and unchanged in captive mussels. The different responses between treatment groups suggest potential for nucleotide metabolism as a biomarker of health status for freshwater mussels.

Influence of ultra-high-pressure homogenization treatment on the phytosterols, tocopherols, and polyamines of almond beverage

Ultra-high-pressure homogenization (UHPH) is an emerging technology based on the dynamic application of high pressure to obtain safe and high-quality liquid foods. The effect of six UHPH treatments at 200 and 300 MPa with different inlet temperatures (T(in)) (55, 65, and 75 °C) on the content of tocopherols, polyamines, and phytosterols of almond beverage was studied in comparison with the base product. Total tocopherol contents decreased about 80-90% as temperature and pressure increased, and whereas both parameters affected the tocopherol content, especially the effect of temperature was noticeable. α-Tocopherol was the most predominant type of tocopherol present and was also the most affected by UHPH treatments. Spermidine was the only polyamine found not to be affected by UHPH treatments. UHPH treatments resulted in an increase of 20-40% in the total phytosterol extractability. The highest extractability was obtained at the most severe conditions (300 MPa, 75 °C T(in)).

Metabolomics of Ramadan fasting: an opportunity for the controlled study of physiological responses to food intake

High-throughput screening techniques that analyze the metabolic endpoints of biological processes can identify the contributions of genetic predisposition and environmental factors to the development of common diseases. Studies applying controlled physiological challenges can reveal dysregulation in metabolic responses that may be predictive for or associated with these diseases. However, large-scale epidemiological studies with well controlled physiological challenge conditions, such as extended fasting periods and defined food intake, pose logistic challenges. Culturally and religiously motivated behavioral patterns of life style changes provide a natural setting that can be used to enroll a large number of study volunteers. Here we report a proof of principle study conducted within a Muslim community, showing that a metabolomics study during the Holy Month of Ramadan can provide a unique opportunity to explore the pre-prandial and postprandial response of human metabolism to nutritional challenges. Up to five blood samples were obtained from eleven healthy male volunteers, taken directly before and two hours after consumption of a controlled meal in the evening on days 7 and 26 of Ramadan, and after an over-night fast several weeks after Ramadan. The observed increases in glucose, insulin and lactate levels at the postprandial time point confirm the expected physiological response to food intake. Targeted metabolomics further revealed significant and physiologically plausible responses to food intake by an increase in bile acid and amino acid levels and a decrease in long-chain acyl-carnitine and polyamine levels. A decrease in the concentrations of a number of phospholipids between samples taken on days 7 and 26 of Ramadan shows that the long-term response to extended fasting may differ from the response to short-term fasting. The present study design is scalable to larger populations and may be extended to the study of the metabolic response in defined patient groups such as individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Biogenic amines, amino acids and microflora changes in Indian mackerel (Rastrellinger kanagurta) stored at ambient (25-29 °C) and ice temperature (0 °C)

Biogenic amines formation in Indian mackerel of tropical region was investigated during storage at ambient (25-29 °C) and ice temperature (0 °C) in relation with changes of amino acids content and amines forming bacteria. All amines increased significantly during storage at two temperatures except for spermidine and spermine. Histamine concentration of 363.5 ppm was detected after 16 h stored at ambient temperature. Aerobic plate count of fish stored at ambient temperature reached 6.98 log CFU g(-1) after 16 h, close to the upper limit (7 log CFU g(-1)) suggested by International Commission on the Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF). However, proper icing procedure retarded the formation of histamine effectively, resulting only 8.31 ppm after 16 days of ice storage. Aerobic plate count of 5.99 and 7.72 log CFU g(-1) were recorded for fish stored in ice after 16 days and ambient temperature after 20 h, respectively. Histamine exhibited high correlation with histidine (r(2) = -0.963, P < 0.01) as well as cadaverine with lysine (r(2) = -0.750, P < 0.05). However, tyramine-tyrosine demonstrated a weaker relationship (r(2) = -0.138, P > 0.05). As storage time progressed, the amines forming bacteria grew significantly except for that stored in ice.

Sensitive quantitation of polyamines in plant foods by ultrasound-assisted benzoylation and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction with the aid of experimental designs

A new method involving ultrasound-assisted benzoylation and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was optimized with the aid of chemometrics for the extraction, cleanup, and determination of polyamines in plant foods. Putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, and spermine were derivatized with 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride and extracted by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction using acetonitrile and carbon tetrachloride as dispersive and extraction solvents, respectively. Two-level full factorial design and central composite design were applied to select the most appropriate derivatization and extraction conditions. The developed method was linear in the 0.5-10.0 mg/L range, with a R(2) ≥ 0.9989. Intra- and interday precisions ranged from 0.8 to 6.9% and from 3.0 to 10.3%, respectively, and the limit of detection ranged between 0.018 and 0.042 μg/g of fresh weight. This method was applied to the analyses of six different types of plant foods, presenting recoveries between 81.7 and 114.2%. The method is inexpensive, versatile, simple, and sensitive.

Maillard reactions in hyperthermophilic archaea: implications for better understanding of non-enzymatic glycation in biology

Maillard reactions are an unavoidable feature of life that appear to be damaging to cell and organisms. Consequently, all living systems must have ways to protect themselves against this process. As of 2012, several such defense mechanisms have been identified. They are all enzymatic and were found in mesophilic organisms. To date, no systematic study of Maillard reactions and the relevant defense mechanisms has been conducted in thermophiles (50°C-80°C) or hyperthermophiles (80°C-120°C). This is surprisingly because Maillard reactions become significantly faster and potent with increasing temperatures. This review examines this neglected issue in two well-defined sets of hyperthermophiles. My analysis suggests that hyperthermophiles cope with glycation stress by several mechanisms: • Absence of glycation-prone head groups (such as ethanoalamine) from hyperthermophilic phospholipids • Protection of reactive carbohydrates and labile metabolic intermediates by substrate channeling. • Conversion of excess reactive sugars such as glucose to non-reactive compounds including trehalose, di-myo-inositol-phosphate and mannosylglycerate. • Detoxification of methylglyoxal and other ketoaldehydes by conversion to inert products through a variety of reductases and dehydrogenases. • Scavenging of the remaining carbonyls by nucleophilic amines, including a variety of novel polyamines. Disruption of the Maillard process at its early stages, rather than repair of damage caused by it at later stages, appears to be the preferred strategy in the organisms examined. The most unique among these mechanisms appears to be a polyamine-based scavenging system. Undertaking research of the Maillard process in hyperthermophiles is important in its own right and is also likely to provide new insights for the control of these reactions in humans, especially in diseases such as diabetes mellitus.

Health effects and occurrence of dietary polyamines: a review for the period 2005-mid 2013

This review continues a previous one (Kalač & Krausová, 2005). Dietary polyamines spermidine and spermine participate in an array of physiological roles with both favourable and injurious effects on human health. Dieticians thus need plausible information on their content in various foods. The data on the polyamine contents in raw food materials increased considerably during the reviewed period, while information on their changes during processing and storage have yet been fragmentary and inconsistent. Spermidine and spermine originate mainly from raw materials. Their high contents are typical particularly for inner organs and meat of warm-blooded animals, soybean and fermented soybean products and some mushroom species. Generally, polyamine contents range widely within the individual food items.

Changes in biogenic amine concentrations in meat of eviscerated pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) during storage at 7 °C

In our study, we tested biogenic amine concentrations in 20 eviscerated pheasants killed by pithing (the slaughtering technique in which the spinal cord of the animals is severed and their brain is destroyed) and stored at 7 °C for 21 days. Biogenic amine concentrations in breast and thigh muscles were analysed by reverse phase liquid chromatography. In the thigh muscle, the highest increases during the storage time were found in cadaverine (20.17 ± 18.66 mg/kg), putrescine (4.39 ± 4.17 mg/kg) and tyramine (15.20 ± 16.88 mg/kg) concentrations. Changes of biogenic amine concentrations in the breast muscle were minimal during the whole storage time. The concentration of biogenic amines in meat is associated with the presence of contaminating microorganisms. For that reason, biogenic amines are often used as markers of meat spoilage in various livestock species. Based on our results, the biogenic amines cadaverine, putrescine and tyramine may be considered the main indicators of hygienic quality of pheasant meat. We can recommend storing pithed pheasants treated by evisceration no longer than for seven days at 7 °C. After that period, biogenic amine concentrations in meat begin to change. The main significance of this study lies in the extension of the lack information about the content of biogenic amines in the meat of eviscerated pithed pheasant and also about changes of their concentrations during the course of storage.

The microbiology of malting and brewing

Brewing beer involves microbial activity at every stage, from raw material production and malting to stability in the package. Most of these activities are desirable, as beer is the result of a traditional food fermentation, but others represent threats to the quality of the final product and must be controlled actively through careful management, the daily task of maltsters and brewers globally. This review collates current knowledge relevant to the biology of brewing yeast, fermentation management, and the microbial ecology of beer and brewing.

Solution pH and oligoamine molecular weight dependence of the transition from monolayer to multilayer adsorption at the air-water interface from sodium dodecyl sulfate/oligoamine mixtures

Neutron reflectivity and surface tension have been used to investigate the solution pH and oligoamine molecular weight dependence of the adsorption of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/oligoamine mixtures at the air-water interface. For diethylenetriamine, triamine, or triethylenetetramine, tetramine mixed with SDS, there is monolayer adsorption at pH 7 and 10, and multilayer adsorption at pH 3. For the slightly higher molecular weight tetraethylenepentamine, pentamine, and pentaethylenehexamine, hexamine, the adsorption is in the form of a monolayer at pH 3 and multilayers at pH 7 and 10. Hence, there is a pH driven transition from monolayer to multilayer adsorption, which shifts from low pH to higher pH as the oligoamine molecular weight increases from tetramine to pentamine. This results from the relative balance between the electrostatic attraction between the SDS and amine nitrogen group which decreases as the charge density decreases with increasing pH, the ion-dipole interaction between the amine nitrogen and SDS sulfate group which is dominant at higher pH, and the hydrophobic interalkyl chain interaction between bound SDS molecules which changes with oligoamine molecular weight.

Lower polyamine levels in breast milk of obese mothers compared to mothers with normal body weight

BACKGROUND

Obesity is associated with risks for mother and infant, and the mothers' dietary habits influence breast milk composition. Polyamines are secreted in breast milk and are essential for the regulation of intestinal and immune function in newborns and infants. The present study aimed to investigate the level of polyamines in human milk obtained from obese and normal weight mothers at different times of lactation.

METHODS

Breast milk from 50 mothers was obtained at day 3, and at 1 and 2 months after delivery. The mothers had normal body weight [body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg m(-2) ] or were obese (BMI > 30 kg/m(2) ). A subgroup of obese mothers participated in a weight reduction programme during pregnancy. Polyamines were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

The total polyamine content was significantly lower at all times in breast milk from obese mothers compared to milk from controls. Spermine levels did not differ between groups at any time in contrast to the levels of putrescine and spermidine. Putrescine concentrations were highest on day 3 and spermidine and spermine were highest at 1 month of lactation. The obese mothers, who received dietary advice during pregnancy based on the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, had higher concentrations of putrescine and spermidine in their milk than the obese mothers without any intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Polyamine concentrations were lower in breast milk from obese mothers compared to mothers with a normal weight. General dietary intervention in obese mothers increased the polyamine levels, suggesting that the low levels in obesity were at least partly associated with food habits. However, the consistency of spermine suggests a special metabolic function of this polyamine.

Carotenoids and phenolic compounds from Solanum sessiliflorum, an unexploited Amazonian fruit, and their scavenging capacities against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species

The composition of carotenoids and phenolic compounds from mana-cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum), a fruit native to Amazonia, was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array and mass spectrometry detectors (HPLC-DAD-MS(n)). The antioxidant capacities of the hydrophilic and carotenoid extracts against some reactive oxygen (ROO(•), H(2)O(2), HOCl, and HO(•)) and nitrogen (ONOO(-)) species were also determined. Seventeen carotenoids and three phenolic compounds were found in mana-cubiu. The major carotenoids were (all-E)-β-carotene (7.15 μg/g of dry weight) and (all-E)-lutein (2.41 μg/g of dry weight). The 5-caffeoylquinic acid (1351 μg/g of dry weight) was the major phenolic compound, representing more than 78% (w/w) of the total phenolic compounds. Moreover, two dihydrocaffeoyl spermidines were found in the hydrophilic extract. Both mana-cubiu extracts were able to scavenge all the tested reactive species. The carotenoid extract was shown to be a potent scavenger of peroxyl radical, while the hydrophilic extract was a potent hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid scavenger.

Biogenic amine formation and bacterial contribution in Natto products

Twenty-one Natto products currently distributed in Korea were analysed for biogenic amine contents and tested to determine physicochemical and bacterial contributions to biogenic amine formation. Among them, nine products (about 43%) had β-phenylethylamine or tyramine contents greater than the toxic dose (30mg/kg and 100mg/kg, respectively) of each amine, although no products showed total amounts of biogenic amines above the harmful level (1000mg/kg), which indicates that the amounts of biogenic amines in some Natto products are not within the safe level for human health. From four different Natto products, that contained noticeable levels of β-phenylethylamine and tyramine, 80 bacterial strains were isolated. All the strains were identified to be Bacillus subtilis and highly capable of producing β-phenylethylamine and tyramine. Therefore, it seems likely that the remarkable contents of β-phenylethylamine and tyramine in Natto predominantly resulted from the strains highly capable of producing those amines present in the food.

DNA and nuclear aggregates of polyamines

Polyamines (PAs) are linear polycations that are involved in many biological functions. Putrescine, spermidine and spermine are highly represented in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and have been the subject of decades of extensive research. Nevertheless, their capability to modulate the structure and functions of DNA has not been fully elucidated. We found that polyamines self-assemble with phosphate ions in the cell nucleus and generate three forms of compounds referred to as Nuclear Aggregates of Polyamines (NAPs), which interact with genomic DNA. In an in vitro setting that mimics the nuclear environment, the assembly of PAs occurs within well-defined ratios, independent of the presence of the DNA template. Strict structural and functional analogies exist between the in vitro NAPs (ivNAPs) and their cellular homologues. Atomic force microscopy showed that ivNAPs, as theoretically predicted, have a cyclic structure, and in the presence of DNA, they form a tube-like arrangement around the double helix. Features of the interaction between ivNAPs and genomic DNA provide evidence for the decisive role of "natural" NAPs in regulating important aspects of DNA physiology, such as conformation, protection and packaging, thus suggesting a new vision of the functions that PAs accomplish in the cell nucleus.

Evidence of two functionally distinct ornithine decarboxylation systems in lactic acid bacteria

Biogenic amines are low-molecular-weight organic bases whose presence in food can result in health problems. The biosynthesis of biogenic amines in fermented foods mostly proceeds through amino acid decarboxylation carried out by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), but not all systems leading to biogenic amine production by LAB have been thoroughly characterized. Here, putative ornithine decarboxylation pathways consisting of a putative ornithine decarboxylase and an amino acid transporter were identified in LAB by strain collection screening and database searches. The decarboxylases were produced in heterologous hosts and purified and characterized in vitro, whereas transporters were heterologously expressed in Lactococcus lactis and functionally characterized in vivo. Amino acid decarboxylation by whole cells of the original hosts was determined as well. We concluded that two distinct types of ornithine decarboxylation systems exist in LAB. One is composed of an ornithine decarboxylase coupled to an ornithine/putrescine transmembrane exchanger. Their combined activities results in the extracellular release of putrescine. This typical amino acid decarboxylation system is present in only a few LAB strains and may contribute to metabolic energy production and/or pH homeostasis. The second system is widespread among LAB. It is composed of a decarboxylase active on ornithine and l-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA) and a transporter that mediates unidirectional transport of ornithine into the cytoplasm. Diamines that result from this second system are retained within the cytosol.

Biogenic amines content during extended ageing of dry-cured pork loins inoculated with probiotics

The study determined the content of biogenic amines in dry-cured pork loins inoculated with Lactobacillus casei ŁOCK 0900 probiotic strain, in 4, 8 and 16 month-old samples. Cadaverine, putrescine and tryptamine levels showed a time-dependent increase during ageing. Histamine and spermidine were not detected. Spermine which was present at very low concentrations, tended to decrease. Cadaverine and tryptamine were the main biogenic amines at the end of the ageing period with average values of 39.6 mg/kg and 49.2 mg/kg respectively. The results were within the values reported for other dry-cured meat products and below the suggested toxic levels. The pH of samples increased significantly (p<0.05) with ageing time. The a(w) values decreased significantly (p<0.05) during ageing, with a mean value of 0.953±0.007 for samples aged for 4 months, and 0.852±0.007 for samples aged for 16-months.