Use of AMD HPTLC for analysis of biogenic amines in fish meal

A method is described for the quantitative analysis of biogenic amines in fish meal. Quantitation of histamine, putrescine, cadaverine, and tyramine involves the use of AMD HPTLC, with ephedrine as internal standard. Amines were extracted with trichloroacetic acid (6% w/v) and derivatized with dansyl chloride (5 mg mL(-1)) in acetone at pH 8. Chromatography was performed on silica gel 60 F(254) extra thin layers with a gradient program of 20 steps; dichloromethane-trimethylamine, 10 + 1 (v/v) was used as base solvent and a polarity gradient was obtained by use of n-hexane.