Bioactive amines in fresh, canned and dried sweet corn, embryo and endosperm and germinated corn

The types and levels of free bioactive amines in different corn products were determined. The amines were analyzed by ion pair-HPLC, post-column derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde and fluorimetric detection. Fresh sweet corn contained mainly spermidine followed by putrescine. Spermine, cadaverine, phenylethylamine, histamine and agmatine were also present at low levels. The profile and levels of amines changed significantly in canned and dried corn. Putrescine was the prevalent amine in canned corn whereas spermine was prevalent in dried corn. Germinated corn had significantly higher spermidine, spermine and putrescine levels. The embryo of the corn contained significantly higher spermine levels compared to the endosperm. These results indicate that corn is a good source of polyamines and that the different types of corn products available can be used to provide a profile of amines according to specific dietary need.