Background:
Meat products are widely recognized as substantial sources of protein derived from animals. Biogenic amines (BAs), naturally occurring toxins, are generated via the metabolism of specific amino acids by a vast array of microorganisms, including pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to ascertain the quantity of BAs produced in five meat products that are commercially available in Egypt. Additionally, the estimated daily BA intakes of the Egyptian populace as a result of consuming these animal products were computed. Additionally, a study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between total biogenic amines (TBAs) and microbial counts, specifically total bacterial counts (TBC), total psychrophilic counts (TPsC), total Staphylococcus aureus (TSC), and total Enterobacteriaceae count (TEC) as they pertained to the meat products under investigation.
Methods:
One hundred samples of meat products (n = 20 for each) were selected at random from Egyptian markets. The collected samples included minced meat, luncheon, sausage, pasterma, and canned meat. The microbiological status and biogenic amine content of these samples were evaluated.
Results:
Total biogenic amines were calculated for the examined samples an beef mince had the highest TBA content at 918.22 ± 21.3 mg/Kg followed by sausage at 575.1 ± 12.8 mg/Kg, luncheon at 567.1 ± 17.8 mg/Kg, pasterma at 417.0 ± 31.8 mg/Kg, and canned meat at 242.8 ± 21.8 mg/Kg. The calculated EDI values for TBA ranged between 21.24 in canned meat to 80.34 in beef mince. It was determined that beef mince had the highest microbial contamination rates as indicated by the high TBC, TPsC, TSC, and TEC at 5.69 ± 0.4, 4.2 ± 0.5, 2.4 ± 0.2 and 4.69 ± 0.1 log 10 cfu/g. Such counts were 3.6 ± 0.2, 2.4 ± 0.2, 1.2 ± 0.1, and 4.3± 0.2 log 10 cfu/g in sausage, 3.4 ± 0.3, 2.2 ± 0.1, 1.1 ± 0.1, and 4.0 ± 0.1 log 10 cfu/g in luncheon, 2.5 ± 0.1, 1.0 ± 0.1, 1.4 ± 0.08 and 2.69 ± 0.2 log 10 cfu/g in pasterma; while none of the examined canned meat harbored microbial contamination
Conclusion:
This study indicated the presence of several BAs in meat products sold in Egypt. According to the EDI values of the examined BAs, the consumption of meat products by the Egyptian populace did not pose a risk. However, it is imperative that the handling, storage, distribution, and promotion of meat products conform to sanitary protocols.
Key words: Meat products, Biogenic amines, Health risk assessment, Microbiological status
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