Improved multiplex-PCR method for the simultaneous detection of food bacteria producing biogenic amines

Abstract

The presence of biogenic amines in foods is of considerable public concern for the food industry and the regulatory agencies, since given the potential health hazard, there is a growing demand from consumers and control authorities to reduce the allowable limits of biogenic amines in foods and beverages. Rapid and simple methods are needed for the analysis of the ability to form biogenic amines by bacteria in order to evaluate the potential risk of bacterial occurring in some food products. Analytical chromatographic methods used for routine biogenic amine analysis of food substrates have been applied to bacterial cultures. Specifi c differential culture media for the presumptive identifi cation of biogenic amine-producer bacteria have been developed. Recently, several PCR based methods targeting amino acid decarboxylases have been described. These latter molecular methods, in addition to its rapidity and specifi city, offer the advantage of the identifi cation of producer bacteria before the amine is synthesized