Biogenic amines in Brazilian cheeses

The levels of biogenic amines in Brazilian cheeses were investigated for the first time. Ninety-two samples of 10 types of cheese were purchased at retail stores. The amines were extracted using hydrochloric acid, partitioned into diethyl ether, separated through reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography and quantified fluorimetrically after postcolumn derivatization with o-phthaldehyde. Overall, spermine was the most prevalent amine (93%), followed by histamine (65%), 2-phenylethylamine (62%), spermidine (61%), putrescine (60%), cadaverine (59%), serotonin (44%), agmatine (38%), tyramine (37%) and tryptamine (29%). Spermine, agmatine, 2-phenylethylamine, serotonin, spermidine and tryptamine were detected at low levels (< 4.10 mg/100g). Cadaverine, tyramine, histamine and putrescine were present at levels up to 111.00, 21.25, 19.65 and 17.37 mg/100g, respectively. There was variability on the type and levels of amine in each kind of cheese suggesting that amine formation and accumulation in cheese could be prevented. Efforts should be made to understand amine formation in cheese in order to optimize technology and secure low amine levels. Susceptible individuals should be advised to consume cheeses with low biogenic amines contents.