Effects of Modified Atmosphere Packaging with Various Carbon Dioxide Composition on Biogenic Amines Formation in Indian Mackerel ( Rastrelliger kanagurta ) stored at 5 ± 1°C

The profile of major biogenic amines was investigated in Indian mackerel packed in modified atmosphere for up to 12 days at 5 ± 1°C. Beheaded and gutted Indian mackerel was packed under different carbon dioxide compositions to study the effects on biogenic amines formation. The treatments were control air (C), vacuum packaging (VP), 30% CO 2 /65% N 2 /5% O 2 (M30C), 60% CO 2 /35% N 2 /5% O 2 (M60C), 80% CO 2 /15% N 2 /5% O 2 (M80C) and 100% CO 2 (M100C). Each amine responded differently to different CO 2 levels. After 12 days of storage, concentrations of histamine were reduced by 6.4%, 8.5%, 70.3%, 78.8% and 90.2% in fish packed under VP, M30C, M60C, M80C and M100C, respectively as compared with control air. Changes in putrescine and cadaverine showed a similar pattern. Gas mix of M30C and VP stimulated the formation of tyramine reaching 203 and 172 ppm, respectively. Higher composition of CO 2 had a significant inhibitory effect on tyramine concentration ( p  < 0.05). There were parallel increases of putrescine and spermidine in C, VP and M30C. No significant effect of CO 2 was observed on spermine ( p  > 0.05). After 9 days of storage, more than 300 ppm of histamine was detected in mackerel packed in VP and M30C; therefore, these atmospheres pose a histamine intoxication risk. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.