A Rapid LC-MS/MS Method for Quantification of Biogenic Amines in Meat: Validation and Application for Food Safety Monitoring.

Abstract

Biogenic amines (BAs) are nitrogenous compounds naturally present in protein-rich foods, whose accumulation may indicate spoilage and pose health risks. This study presents the development and validation of a rapid LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of six BAs-putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), histamine (HIS), tyramine (TYR), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM)-in meat products, without requiring derivatisation. Sample preparation was optimized to enhance extraction efficiency and reproducibility, using 0.5 M HCl and a double-centrifugation protocol to avoid matrix interference. Chromatographic separation was optimized using a C18 column and acidified ammonium formate/acetonitrile mobile phases. The method showed good linearity (R² > 0.99), trueness between -20% and +20%, and acceptable precision (RSD_r and RSD_R ≤ 25%). Limits of quantification were established at 10 µg/g for all analytes. The method was applied to ten commercial meat samples, where PUT, TYR, and SPD were the most frequently detected amines. Although HIS and TYR levels were below toxicological thresholds for healthy individuals, one sample showed TYR levels potentially concerning for monoamine oxidase inhibitors -treated consumers. The Biogenic Amine Index (BAI) further supported product quality assessment, identifying early spoilage in selected cases. This method offers a rapid, robust and efficient tool for routine monitoring of BAs in meat products, supporting food safety and quality control initiatives.