Biogenic amines in amazonian fish and their health effects are affected by species and season of capture

Abstract

Fish plays important role in human nutrition and health. However, fish can be source of biogenic amines, some of which – histamine and tyramine – at high concentrations can cause adverse effects to human health. Furthermore, tyramine can cause hypertensive crisis in individuals under monoaminoxidase inhibitor (MAOI) drugs. Four relevant fish from the Madeira River basin were caught in Puruzinho Igarapé and Santa Rosa, Amazonia, Brazil. Five out of nine amines assessed were detected. Pacu had the highest diversity of amines (spermidine, agmatine, putrescine, cadaverine, tyramine), curimatã and jaraqui had four (the same but no agmatine), whereas sardinha had the least (spermidine, putrescine, cadaverine). Curimatã and jaraqui had higher mean total levels of amines (5.83 and 5.16 mg/kg, respectively), followed by pacu (2.50 mg/kg) and sardinha (0.80 mg/kg). Amines’ presence and concentration was affected by fish species, location of capture and season. Higher spermidine levels were in fish from Puruzinho Igarapé, whereas putrescine and tyramine were higher in fish from Santa Rosa. During the rainy season, fish contained higher amines levels. Tyramine levels found, especially those in curimatã are worrisome, leading to intakes up to 9.5 mg/meal. This amount overpasses the toxicological parameters for individuals under MAOI drugs or local tea/beverages.