Effect of green tea extract and microwave pre-cooking on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines in fried chicken meat products

Trapping phenylacetaldehyde by litchi shell polyphenols and their characteristic catechins in chemical model and roast pork patty: Identification of catechins-adducts and toxicity assessment

Inhibitory effects of litchi shell polyphenols (LC) and their characteristic catechins on 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazole [4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP) formation were investigated in chemical model and roast pork patty. Eight catechins-adducts were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and their toxicity were evaluated by Discovery Studio. Results showed inhibition rates of LC on bound-PhIP could reach 10.95 % and 100 % respectively in both chemical model and roast pork patty, and inhibition rates on free-PhIP could reach 76.47 % in roast pork patty. However, LC had no inhibiting effect on free-PhIP, and even promoted it in chemical model. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS indicated that Epicatechin (EC), Epigallocatechin (EGC) and Epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) eliminate PhIP by capturing phenylacetaldehyde to form adducts. LD50 of the formed adducts were lower than the chronic rat oral loael value, indicating that EC, EGC and EGCG would not form more toxic adduct during PhIP reduction. This study provides a new perspective for the application of LC in inhibiting PhIP and a reference for improving the theoretical system of dietary polyphenols in inhibiting heterocyclic aromatic amines.

Analysis of volatile compounds and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in fried chicken breast produced by air and deep-fat frying

Two samples, simple-battered chicken (SBC) and normal-battered chicken (NBC), with different batters were deep-fat fried at various conditions and volatile compounds and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) was analysed. The moisture content of the air-fried samples was significantly higher than that of the deep-fat fried samples in the same batter samples. A total of 72 volatile compounds (8 aldehydes, 15 monoterpenes, 12 sesquiterpenes, 2 terpene alcohols, 4 benzenes, 13 pyrazines, 2 pyridines, 6 furans, 5 alcohols, 2 pyrroles, and 3 others) were detected in fried chicken breast, and air-fried SBC possessed the highest total amount of volatile compounds. Furthermore, 5-HMF was exclusively detected in NBC samples; in particular, 1.27 ± 0.06 and 0.41 ± 0.02 μg/mL were detected in deep- and air-fried NBC, respectively. This study indicates the potential of air frying to reduce the formation of 5-HMF while maintaining quality characteristics, suggesting the need for further study on other hazardous compounds.

A comprehensive review of structure-activity relationships and effect mechanisms of polyphenols on heterocyclic aromatic amines formation in thermal-processed food

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are potent carcinogenic substances mainly generated in thermal-processed food. Natural polyphenols have been widely used for inhibiting the formation of HAAs, whereas the effect of natural polyphenols on HAAs formation is complex and the mechanisms are far from being clearly elucidated. In order to clarify the comprehensive effect of polyphenols on HAAs, this review focused on the structure-activity relationships and effect mechanisms of polyphenols on the formation of HAAs. In addition, the effects of polyphenols on HAAs toxicity were also first reviewed from cell, gene, protein, and animal aspects. An overview of the effect of polyphenol structures such as parent ring and exocyclic group on the mitigation of HAAs was emphasized, aiming to provide some valuable information for understanding their effect mechanism. The HAAs formation is inhibited by natural polyphenols in a dose-dependent manner largely through eliminating free radicals and binding precursors and intermediates. The inhibitory effect was probably affected by the quantity and position of hydroxyl groups in the aromatic rings, and polyphenols with m-hydroxyl group in the aromatic ring had the stronger inhibitory effect. However, the presence of other substituents and excessive hydroxyl groups in natural polyphenols might mitigate the inhibitory effect and even promote the formation of HAAs. This review can provide theoretical reference for effectively controlling the formation of HAAs in thermal-processed food by natural polyphenols and reducing their harm to human health.

Bitter melon extract mitigates heterocyclic aromatic amine formation in chicken thigh meat

The purpose of the present research was to study the impact of bitter melon extract (BME) on the generation of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) in chicken thigh meat. Raw chicken samples were marinated overnight with various levels (0%, 0.5%, and 1%) of BME, and pan-fried at 150, 200, and 250°C for a total of 10 min. IQx, IQ, MeIQx, MeIQ, 7,8-DiMeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, PhIP, AαC, and MeAαC were detected in quantities that varied according to the cooking temperature and the concentration of BME. Notably, IQx, MeIQx, MeIQ, 7,8-DiMeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, and AαC levels were reduced through the application of the marinade. Cooking at higher temperatures led to elevated levels of total HAAs. Total HAA levels were 0.98 ± 1.12 ng/g, 3.82 ± 2.12 ng/g, and 6.25 ± 3.35 ng/g in samples cooked at 150, 200, and 250°C, respectively (p < .01). BME demonstrated its effectiveness in mitigating total HAA levels, showing reductions ranging from 25.9% to 69.9%. The most effective concentration of BME in reducing total HAAs was 1% for all cooking temperatures, which might be attributed to its antioxidant activity. These results carry substantial implications for potentially incorporating natural extracts such as BME into chicken products as a viable strategy to reduce HAAs, thus enhancing the safety and quality of meat products.

Formation and prediction of heterocyclic amines and N-nitrosamines in smoked sausages using back propagation artificial neural network

BACKGROUND

Heterocyclic amines (HAs) and N-nitrosamines (NAs) are formed easily during the thermal processing of food, and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that consuming HAs and NAs increases the risk of cancer. However, there are few studies on the application of back propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN) models to simultaneously predict the content of HAs and NAs in sausages. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cooking time and temperature, smoking time and temperature, and fat-to-lean ratio on the formation of HAs and NAs in smoked sausages, and to predict their total content based on the BP-ANN model.

RESULTS

With an increase in processing time, processing temperature and fat ratio, the content of HAs and NAs in smoked sausages increased significantly, while the content of HA precursors and nitrite residues decreased significantly. The optimal network topology of the BP-ANN model was 5-11-2, the correlation coefficient values for training, validation, testing and all datasets were 0.99228, 0.99785, 0.99520 and 0.99369, respectively, and the mean squared error value of the best validation performance was 0.11326. The bias factor and the accuracy factor were within acceptable limits, and the predicted values approximated the true values, indicating that the model has good predictive performance.

CONCLUSION

The contents of HAs and NAs in smoked sausages were significantly influenced by the cooking conditions, smoking conditions and fat ratio. The BP-ANN model has high application value in predicting the contents of HAs and NAs in sausages, which provides a theoretical basis for the suppression of carcinogen formation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Propolis extract reduces heterocyclic aromatic amine formation in chicken thigh meat

1. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of propolis extract on reducing the formation of carcinogenic/mutagenic heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), thereby minimising dietary exposure in human consumers.2. Chicken thigh meat samples were marinated with various concentrations (0%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1%) of propolis extract, and cooked in a pan at 150°C or 200°C. Proximate composition, pH, lipid oxidation, creatine, creatinine content and twelve HAA levels of samples were analysed.3. Varying levels of IQx (≤35.44 ng/g), MeIQx (≤0.58 ng/g), MeIQ (≤1.60 ng/g), 7,8-DiMeIQx (≤0.83 ng/g), 4,8-DiMeIQx (≤0.75 ng/g), Harman (≤5.54 ng/g), Trp-P-2 (≤1.77 ng/g), PhIP (≤1.61 ng/g) and AαC (≤0.93 ng/g) were quantified in control samples. Total HAA levels ranged between 2.83 and 47.26 ng/g across all samples. Propolis extract decreased the levels of total HAAs by 41.2-89.4% and 49.4-91.4% at 150°C and 200°C, respectively.4. The results demonstrated that propolis extract marination might be an effective strategy to reduce the dietary exposure of HAAs via mitigating their formation in chicken thigh meat.

Reducing the production of acrylamide during the roasting of balloon flower roots in consumer appliances and industrial equipment

This study aimed to determine what conditions were needed to reduce the production of acrylamide when balloon flower roots [Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq. A. DC.)] were heated. The conditions of temperature, time, and the type of equipment (i.e., consumer appliance or industrial equipment) were the important variables in the experiment. The official criterion for a recommended standard of acrylamide in tea product is less than 1000 µg/kg as determined by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in South Korea. A response surface methodology was used to determine whether the heated samples met the safety requirements. The most significant condition for consumer appliances was time and for industrial equipment was temperature. The optimal roasting time was 3.01 min with a consumer appliance and 4.18 min with industrial equipment at 110 ℃, a typical temperature in the field. The acrylamide content of the tested sample was significantly in agreement with the predicted amount (R ² > 0.950).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01242-z.

Formation of Carcinogens in Processed Meat and Its Measurement with the Usage of Artificial Digestion—A Review

Meat is a rich source of various nutrients. However, it needs processing before consumption, what in turn generates formation of carcinogenic compounds, i.a., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), nitrosamines (NOCs), and the most mutagenic heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). It was widely found that many factors affect the content of carcinogens in processed meat. However, it has recently been discovered that after digestion free HAAs are released, which are not detectable before enzymatic treatment. It was established that the highest percentage of carcinogens is released in the small intestine and that its amount can be increased up to 6.6-fold. The change in free HAAs content in analyzed samples was dependent on many factors such as meat type, doneness, particle size of meat, and the enzyme concentration used for digestion. In turn, introduction of bacteria naturally occurring in the human digestive tract into the model significantly decreases total amount of HAAs. Contrary, the addition of food ingredients rich in polyphenols, fiber, and water (pepper powder, onions, apples) increases free HAAs’ release up to 56.06%. Results suggests that in vitro digestion should be an integral step of sample preparation. Artificial digestion introduced before chromatographic analysis will allow to estimate accurately the content of carcinogens in processed meat.

The Effects of Different Natural Plant Extracts on the Formation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Roast Duck

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with high carcinogenicity and mutagenicity may be generated in roast duck during high-temperature roasting. Natural extracts with antioxidant effects may inhibit the formation of PAHs. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of green tea extract (GTE); extract of bamboo leaves (EBL); grape seed extract (GSE) and rosemary extract (RE) on PAHs in roast duck to obtain the optimum extract and present a guidance for reducing PAHs in roast duck. The total phenol content and antioxidant capacity of the four extracts were measured, and the PAH changes in the roast duck caused by the four extracts were detected. The total phenol content of GTE was the highest, 277 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, while RE was the lowest at 85 mg GAE/g. The antioxidant capacity of RE was 1.9 mmol Trolox/g, which was significantly lower than that of the other three. The four extracts inhibited PAHs formation in roast duck to varying degrees: When the concentration was 25 g/kg, the best inhibitory effects on Benzo [a] pyrene (BaP) and PAH4 (BaP, BaA, BbF and CHR) were obtained from GTE, with inhibition rates of 75.8% and 79.7%, respectively, while the weakest inhibition rates, 32.7% and 43.6%, respectively, were from RE.

Inhibitory Effect of Tamarix ramosissima Extract on the Formation of Heterocyclic Amines in Roast Lamb Patties by Retarding the Consumption of Precursors and Preventing Free Radicals

Tamarix ramosissima has been widely used as barbecue skewers for the good taste and unique flavor it gives to the meat, but the effects of T. ramosissima on heterocyclic amine (HA) formation in roast lamb are unknown. The influence of T. ramosissima extract (TRE) on HA formation, precursors’ consumption, and free radicals’ generation in roast lamb patties were elucidated by UPLC-MS, HPLC, and electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis, respectively. Six HAs were identified and compared with the control group; the total and polar HAs decreased by 30.51% and 56.92% with TRE addition at 0.30 g/kg. The highest inhibitory effect was found against 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-f]pyridine (PhIP) formation (70.83%) at 0.45 g/kg. The addition of TRE retarded the consumption of HA precursors, resulting in fewer HAs formed. The typical signal intensity of free radicals in roast lamb patties significantly decreased with TRE addition versus the control group (p < 0.05), and the higher the levels of the TRE, the greater the decrease in signal intensity. We propose that the inhibitory effects of TRE on HA formation, especially on polar HAs, were probably achieved by retarding the consumption of precursors and preventing free radicals from being generated in roast lamb patties. These findings provide valuable information concerning TRE’s effectiveness in preventing HA formation through both the precursor consumption and free radical scavenging mechanisms.

Chemical hazards in smoked meat and fish

This review aims to give an insight into the main hazards currently found in smoked meat and fish products. Literature research was carried out on international databases such as Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA) database, Science direct, and Google scholar to collect and select 92 relevant publications included in this review. The smoking process was described and five hazards mostly found in smoked fish and meat were presented. The heat-induced compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic amines, and nitrosamines were found in smoked fish and meat. Other hazards such as biogenic amines and heavy metals were also present in smoked fish and meat. The levels of these hazards reported from the literature exceeded the maximal limits of European Union. A brief description of risk assessment methodology applicable to such toxic compounds and risk assessment examples was also presented in this review. As most of the hazards reported in this review are toxic and even carcinogenic to humans, actions should be addressed to reduce their presence in food to protect consumer health and to prevent public health issue.

Effect of different types of smoking materials on the flavor, heterocyclic aromatic amines, and sensory property of smoked chicken drumsticks

This study investigated the effect of different types of smoking materials on the flavor, heterocyclic aromatic amine (HAA) content, and sensory attributes of smoked chicken drumsticks. All smoked samples showed lower pH and L*-value and higher a*-value and b*-value than the control sample (P < 0.05), but no significant differences in water content and water activity (P > 0.05). The samples smoked with sucrose combined with pear-tree woodchips (SP) or green tea leaves (ST) had higher overall acceptability than other samples (P < 0.05). Smoking increased the total HAA content, and the ST sample exhibited the highest total HAA content (P < 0.05). A total of 54 volatile compounds was identified. Overall, SP and ST are suitable for smoked chicken considering the sensory properties, while S and SA are proper for smoked chicken considering the minimization of HAAs, which may provide a theory basis for the production of smoked chicken.

Reduction of the Heterocyclic Amines in Grilled Beef Patties through the Combination of Thermal Food Processing Techniques without Destroying the Grilling Quality Characteristics

In order to reduce the formation of heterocyclic amines in grilled beef patties without destroying their unique quality characteristics, the effects of different thermal processes, including charcoal grilling, infrared grilling, superheated steam roasting and microwave heating, on the production of heterocyclic amines in beef patties and grilling quality characteristics were systematically analyzed. The results showed that infrared grilling can significantly (p < 0.05) reduce the content of heterocyclic amines in grilled patties, and the combination of microwave heating or superheated steam roasting with infrared grilling could further reduce the content of heterocyclic amines, with a maximum reduction ratio of 44.48%. While subtle differences may exist in infrared grilled patties with/without superheated steam roasting or microwave heating, a slight change will not affect the overall quality characteristics of grilled patties. The combined thermal processing will not visually affect the color of the grilled patties. Correlation analysis and regression analysis showed that the reduction in heterocyclic amines caused by microwave heating and superheated steam roasting are related to the moisture content and lipid oxidation of grilled patties, respectively. Using combined thermal processes to reduce the formation of heterocyclic amines is advisable.

Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines in Meat: Formation, Isolation, Risk Assessment, and Inhibitory Effect of Plant Extracts

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are potent carcinogenic compounds induced by the Maillard reaction in well-done cooked meats. Free amino acids, protein, creatinine, reducing sugars and nucleosides are major precursors involved in the production of polar and non-polar HAAs. The variety and yield of HAAs are linked with various factors such as meat type, heating time and temperature, cooking method and equipment, fresh meat storage time, raw material and additives, precursor’s presence, water activity, and pH level. For the isolation and identification of HAAs, advanced chromatography and spectroscopy techniques have been employed. These potent mutagens are the etiology of several types of human cancers at the ng/g level and are 100- to 2000-fold stronger than that of aflatoxins and benzopyrene, respectively. This review summarizes previous studies on the formation and types of potent mutagenic and/or carcinogenic HAAs in cooked meats. Furthermore, occurrence, risk assessment, and factors affecting HAA formation are discussed in detail. Additionally, sample extraction procedure and quantification techniques to determine these compounds are analyzed and described. Finally, an overview is presented on the promising strategy to mitigate the risk of HAAs by natural compounds and the effect of plant extracts containing antioxidants to reduce or inhibit the formation of these carcinogenic substances in cooked meats.

Modelling the Effects of Roselle Extract, Potato Peel Flour, and Beef Fat on the Sensory Properties and Heterocyclic Amines Formation of Beef Patties Studied by Using Response Surface Methodology

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are compounds with carcinogenic potential formed during high-temperature processing of meat and meat products. Vegetables or their extracts with high antioxidant capacity can be incorporated into the meat matrix to reduce their formation, but it is necessary to find the optimal levels to achieve maximum inhibition without affecting the sensory properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of roselle extract (RE, 0-1%), potato peel flour (PP, 0-2%), and beef fat (BF, 0-15%) on the sensory properties and formation of HCAs in beef patties using response surface methodology. IQx, IQ, MeIQx, MeIQ, 4,8-DiMeIQx, and PhIP were identified and quantified by HPLC. Regression models were developed to predict sensory properties and HCAs' formation. All models were significant (p < 0.05) and showed a R2 > 0.70. Roselle extract and beef fat had a negative linear effect on the formation of the total HCAs, while PP had a positive linear effect. The optimal formula that minimizes the formation of HCAs included 0.63% RE, 0.99% PP, and 11.96% BF. RE and PP are foods that can be used as ingredients in low-fat beef patties to minimize the formation of HCAs without affecting their sensory properties.

Effects of Cooking Methods and Tea Marinades on the Formation of Heterocyclic Amines and Benzo[a]pyrene in Grilled Drumsticks

ABSTRACT

The effects of different grilling methods and tea marinades on the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in grilled chicken drumsticks were investigated. This study showed that both the grilling method and type of charcoal used in charcoal grilling had a significant effect on the formation of HCAs and BaP. The total content of HCAs and BaP detected in drumsticks was the lowest under electric roasting, at 7.25 and 0.04 ng/g, respectively; thus, the electric grill can be used as an alternative grilling method to meet consumer demands for safety. The free radical scavenging ability of tea infusion was significantly higher than that of spice infusion. The white tea marinade significantly increased radical scavenging activity and prevented formation of HCAs and BaP more than the green tea marinade; thus, tea marinade can be applied to flavoring as a pretreatment to preserve the quality of meat and to decrease the generation of HCAs and BaP during cooking.

HIGHLIGHTS

The effect of using different types and rates of onion-water extract in meatball production on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines

BACKGROUND

The effect of using different types (yellow, white and purple) and rates (0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%) of onion-water extract in meatball production on the various quality criteria of meatballs and the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) was investigated.

RESULTS

It was determined that cooking process caused a reduction in the water content of meatballs as well as an increase in pH values. MeIQx, 7,8-DiMeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, PhIP, AαC and MeAαC could not be detected in any of the analyzed meatballs, while IQx, IQ and MeIQ were determined in some of the samples.

CONCLUSION

The use of 0.25% and 0.50% white onion-water extract in meatball preparation inhibited the formation of IQx and IQ that were identified in the control group, but their quantities could not be determined. However, the use of water extract of varying types of onions in meatball preparation increased the total HCA content due to the increase of the MeIQ formation. In addition, it was determined that as the rate of onion-water extract for varying types of onions increased, the total HCA amount also increased. The total HCA amount of the meatballs varied between 0.05 and 0.1 ng g^-1 . © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of Phenolic Acid Marinades on the Formation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Charcoal-Grilled Chicken Wings

HIGHLIGHTS

PAH formation was more affected by marinating than by changing the grilling temperature. Inhibitory effects grew as the concentration of phenolic marinade increased within limits. The antiradical activity and the inhibition of PAHs formation have no direct relation.

Domestic Cooking of Muscle Foods: Impact on Composition of Nutrients and Contaminants

Meat and fish are muscle foods rich in valuable nutrients, such as high-quality proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and, in the case of fish, also unsaturated fatty acids. The escalation of meat and fish production has increased the occurrence of pesticide and antibiotic residues, as result of pest control on feed crops, and antibiotics used to fight infections in animals. Meat and fish are usually cooked to enrich taste, soften texture, increase safety, and improve nutrient digestibility. However, the impact of cooking on nutritional properties and formation of deleterious compounds must be understood. This review summarizes studies, published in the last decade, that have focused on how domestic cooking affects: (i) composition of nutrients (protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals); (ii) antibiotic and pesticide residue contents; and (iii) the formation of cooking-induced contaminants (heterocyclic aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and thermal degradation products of antibiotics and pesticides). Cooking affects the nutritional composition of meat and fish; frying is the cooking method that causes the greatest impact. Cooking may reduce the pesticide and antibiotic residues present in contaminated raw meat and fish; however, it may result in the formation of degradation products of unknown identity and toxicity. Control of cooking time and temperature, use of antioxidant-rich marinades, and avoiding the dripping of fat during charcoal grilling can reduce the formation of cooking-induced contaminants.

Inhibitory effects of catechins on β-carbolines in tea leaves and chemical model systems

The profile of 18 heterocyclic amines from seven categories (including β-carbolines) in tea leaves during green and black tea processing procedures, as well as commercial tea products was screened by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

The effects of different spices and fat types on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines in barbecued sucuk

BACKGROUND

Sucuk is one of the popular traditional Turkish meat products. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of different spices (clove, 0.2%; cinnamon, 0.5%) and animal fat types (beef fat, tallow, subcutaneous and tail fat) on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amine (HCA) in barbecued sucuk.

RESULTS

Although 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeAαC) could not be detected in the any of the samples, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (IQx) (up to 0.54 ng g^-1 ), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) (up to 5.96 ng g^-1 ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) (up to 0.21 ng g^-1 ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) (up to 0.34 ng g^-1 ), 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (7,8-DiMeIQx) (up to 0.32 ng g^-1 ), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx) (up to 0.19 ng g^-1 ), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) (up to 1.94 ng g^-1 ) and 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC) (up to 0.98 ng g^-1 ) were found in the barbecued sucuk samples.

CONCLUSION

The results of the current study have shown that HCAs could be formed in barbecued sucuk. Total HCA can be affected by adding different fat types; however, adding clove and cinnamon decreased the total HCA content in the subcutaneous fat group of sucuk samples. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Analysis of Heterocyclic Amines in Meat by the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe Method Coupled with LC-DAD-MS-MS

The traditional way to analyze heterocyclic amines (HAs) is time-consuming and uses large amounts of solvents. The objective of this study is to develop a quick and simultaneous analysis method for multiple types of HAs contained in meat products. Results showed that 20 HAs and 1 internal standard (4,7,8-TriMeIQx) can be separated within 30 min using an Inspire C18 column and a gradient solvent system containing 10 mM ammonium acetate (pH 2.9) and acetonitrile. This process resulted in a high degree of separation. Using acetonitrile with 1% acetic acid as an extraction solvent, followed by primary and secondary amine, MgSO₄, and C18EC as purified reagent, is highly suitable for extracting HAs using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method (QuEChERS). Tandem mass spectrometry with selected reaction monitoring mode were used for analysis, which indicated reasonable recovery (58.9-117.4%) for all 20 types of HAs along with limits of detection and quantification in the range of 0.003-0.05 and 0.01-0.05 ng/g, respectively.

Inhibitory effect of hawthorn extract on heterocyclic aromatic amine formation in beef and chicken breast meat

This study focused on the inhibitory effect of different levels of hawthorn extract (0, 0.5, and 1%) on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) in beef and chicken breast cooked by either pan-cooking or oven-cooking. All meat samples were cooked at three different temperatures (150, 200, and 250°C) and the levels of twelve HAAs were assessed (IQ, IQx, MeIQ, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, 7,8-DiMeIQx, PhIP, harman, norharman, AαC, MeAαC, and Trp-P-2). Varying levels of IQ (up to 4.47ng/g), IQx (up to 0.69ng/g), MeIQ (up to 0.82ng/g), MeIQx (up to 1.01ng/g), 4,8-DiMeIQx (up to 0.10ng/g), 7,8-DiMeIQx (up to 0.23ng/g), PhIP (up to 0.75ng/g), harman (up to 2.15ng/g), norharman (up to 1.08ng/g), AαC (up to 1.86ng/g), MeAαC (up to 0.48ng/g), and Trp-P-2 (up to 12.88ng/g), were detected. Samples cooked at 150°C had very low amounts of HAAs, and the levels of HAAs increased gradually when the cooking temperature rose from 150 to 250°C. The total HAA content in chicken breast and beef ranged between not detectable to 17.60ng/g, and not detectable to 11.38ng/g, respectively. The inhibitory effects of hawthorn extract at 0.5% and 1% on total HAAs levels were found to be 12-100% and 19-97% in chicken breast, respectively, and 42-100% and 20-35% in beef, respectively. This study demonstrated that hawthorn extracts at 0.5% and 1% could mitigate HAA formation, especially at high cooking temperatures.

Mitigation strategies of acrylamide, furans, heterocyclic amines and browning during the Maillard reaction in foods

The Maillard reaction (MR) occurs widely during food manufacture and storage, through controlled or uncontrolled pathways. Its consequences are ambiguous depending on the nature and processing of the food products. The MR is often used by food manufacturer to develop appealing aromas, colour or texture in food products (cereal based food, coffee, meat…). However, despite some positive aspects, the MR could decrease the nutritional value of food, generate potentially harmful compounds (e.g. acrylamide, furans, heterocyclic amines) or modify aroma or colour although it is not desired (milk, fruit juice). This paper presents a review of the different solutions available to control or moderate the MR in various food products from preventive to removal methods. A brief reminder of the role and influence of the MR on food quality and safety is also provided.

Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines in Cooked Meat Products: Causes, Formation, Occurrence, and Risk Assessment

Meat products are sources of protein with high biological value and an essential source of other nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Heating processes cause food to become more appetizing with changes in texture, appearance, flavor, and chemical properties by the altering of protein structure and other ingredients. During heat treatment, heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), potent mutagens/carcinogens, are formed due to the Maillard reaction. The HAAs are classified in at least 2 groups: thermic HAAs (100 to 300 °C) and pyrolytic HAAs (>300 °C). This review focuses on the parameters and precursors which affect the formation of HAAs: preparation, such as the marinating of meat, and cooking methods, including temperature, duration, and heat transfer, as well as levels of precursors. Additionally, factors are described subject to pH, and the type of meat and ingredients, such as added antioxidants, types of carbohydrates and amino acids, ions, fat, and other substances inhibiting or enhancing the formation of HAAs. An overview of the different analytical methods available is shown to determine the HAAs, including their preparation to clean up the sample prior to extraction. Epidemiological results and human daily intake of HAAs obtained from questionnaires show a relationship between the preference for very well-done meat products with increased HAA levels and an enhanced risk of the incidence of cancer, besides other carcinogens in the diet. The metabolic pathway of HAAs is governed by the activity of several enzymes leading to the formation of DNA adducts or HAA excretion and genetic sensitivity of individuals to the impact of HAAs on human cancer risk.