Mechanism of histamine formation and control in fermented viscera...
Mechanism of histamine formation and control in fermented viscera ‘dayok’ from yellowfin tuna [Thunnus albacares (Bonnaterre)].
(Philippines), Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science (University of the Philippines Los Baños)
Dissertation Abstract:
Dayok is a fermented fish product prepared from tuna viscera. This study aimed to determine the formation and control of histamine in fermented tuna viscera as influenced by different salt concentrations (10, 17.5, and 25%), fermentation
temperature (30–35 and 40oC), and fermentation period (three and seven days). The effect of inoculation of selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) cultures on the histamine levels of dayokwas also investigated. Different parameters such as pH, lactic acid, microbial counts, amino nitrogen, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), and histamine level during fermentation were monitored at regular time intervals.
The formation of histamine during fermentation of dayok is influenced by salt concentration and fermentation period and not by fermentation temperature. As salt concentration (>17.5%) and fermentation period increase (seven days), histamine content decreases. Histamine levels above FDA standard limit of 50 ppm are formed at low salt concentrations (10% NaCl) with total plate count of 10<sup>7</sup> cfu/g. No significant differences on histamine content were observed on samples inoculated with LAB starter cultures (Pediococcus acidilactici and Lactobacillus delbrueckii) compared with control due to high salt concentration of the medium causing low LAB counts. The levels of pH, lactic acid, amino nitrogen, and TVB-N increased during fermentation of tuna viscera.
To minimize or prevent the formation of histamine in raw material, immediate washing, icing, or storage at low temperature should be practiced. In fermentation, the application of >17.5% salt concentration, use of higher inoculum size of LAB starter culture at salt concentrations not higher than 18 percent NaCl, and pasteurization after fermentation to inactivate histidine decarboxylase were also suggested to minimize or control histamine formation.