Effects of various additives on the formation of heterocyclic amines in fried fish fibre

The effects of various additives on the formation of heterocyclic amines (HAs) in fried fish fibre (Trachinooephlus myops) were studied. Fried fish fibre was prepared by boiling raw snake fish, followed by deboning, eviscerating, separating of fish meat and pressing. The fish meat was subjected to frying, during which treatment the additives, such as sugar, monosodium glutamate (MSG), antioxidants and edible oil, were added. The HAs were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode-array detection. Results showed that the formation of HAs was retarded after the addition of a high level of sugar (19%), and the amount of 9H-pyrido-[4,3-b]indole (Norharman), 1-methyl-9H-pyrido-[4,3-b]indole (Harman), 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC) or 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeAαC) also decreased to a minimum. The total amount of HAs rose with increasing levels of MSG, and the individual HAs, Norharman, Harman, AαC and MeAαC showed the same trend. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, α-tocopherol and BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene), did not show any consistent effect of concentration on HAs formation. Coconut oil contributed to the highest levels of HAs formation, followed by lard and soybean oil.