Inhibitory effects of carob and propolis extracts on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines in beef meatballs cooked with different methods

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of propolis extract (PE) and carob extract (CE) on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) in beef meatballs cooked by pan-frying and oven methods. All samples were cooked at 150°C, 200°C and 250°C. 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), 1-methyl-9Hpyrido[4,3-b]indole (harman) and 9H-pyrido[4,3b]indole (norharman) were detected and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). CE had the highest inhibition effect on total HCA content. The inhibitory effects of CE and PE at 1% and 2% concentrations on total HCAs levels were found to be 43.27-85.57% and 27.36-82.00% in cooked meatballs, respectively. HCA amounts in meatballs generally increased by increasing cooking temperature. In particular, the inhibitory effect on HCAs related with the antioxidant activity of extracts. Our results indicated that PE and CE might be used as a natural food additive for reducing HCAs in meatballs.