Biogenic amines content of Egyptian soft cheese and its pubic health significance

ABSTRACT

In a survey of 20 soft white cheese samples representing Damietta and Karish cheese for determination of biogenic amines, it was found that tyramine was the most prevalent with highest maximum concentration in both types of cheese examined. It represented 8.69, 6.16 mg/100g of total amines of Damietta and Karish cheese respectively. Putrescine represented maximum concentration up to 13 mg/100g in Damietta cheese, while failed to be detected in Karish cheese. Histamine values were less than 1 mg/100g and 3 mg/100g Damietta and Karish cheese, respectively. Cadaverine, alpha-phenylethylamine, beta- phenylethylamine, spermidine, agmatine were detected in an average value ranged from 0.02-0.35 in Damietta cheese and 0.04-066 in Karish cheese. Beta phenylethylamine could not be detected in Karish cheese. The obtained results were discussed and the quality control measures for cheese should be adopted