Use of volatile and non-volatile amines to evaluate the freshness of anchovies stored in ice

Amounts of volatile and biogenic amines, pH and microbial counts were monitored in Mediterranean anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus) over 23 days of ice storage with the aim of examining their suitability as indicators of freshness. Counts of Enterobacteriaceae reached the maximum limits stipulated by Spanish regulations after 5 days of storage in ice, while those of mesophilic bacteria took 7 days. Levels of volatile amines hardly increased during ice storage. Amounts of biogenic amines did increase, though there were differences from one amine to the other. Cadaverine, the most abundant biogenic amine, showing the earliest increase, coinciding with the shelf-life time as determined through Enterobacteriaceae counts. Amounts of histamine remained below the maximum levels established by both European Union and Food and Drug Administration regulations. Other biogenic amines were found at much higher levels than histamine. Results demonstrated the suitability of the biogenic amine index (as the sum of histamine + tyramine + putrescine + cadaverine) as a freshness indicator for anchovies stored in ice, with a limit of acceptability set at 15 mg kg(-1). (c) 2006 Society of Chemical Industry.