Chemical analysis of heterocyclic aromatic amines: the results of two European projects compared

 This report describes two studies which compared the results of the analyses of four heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs): 2-amino-3-methylinidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ); 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx); 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), first as pure methanolic solutions and, in a second step, in a food matrice (beef extract) spiked with known amounts of these four HAAs. Details are given for the preparation of the methanolic solutions of the four HAAs and for the homogeneity and stability studies. The results of different statistical treatments revealed no significant heterogeneity within or between ampoules. The results of the stability studies clearly indicated that, except for PhIP, no effect of storage period (up to 6 months) or storage temperature (up to 25  °C), existed for the five HAAs methanolic solutions. Each of the eight European participating laboratories, which has leading experience in the analysis of HAAs, received sealed ampoules containing the pure reference solutions of the four HAAs together with a mixture of unknown identity and concentration. For the analysis of the unknwon sample, participants followed, a common work programme, but used different columns, solvent gradients and detection systems (UV, fluorescence, mass spectrometry and electrochemical detection. The analysis of the results of this first comparison revealed a good correlation between the results provided by the participants and high precision regarding the target values, independent of the experimental conditions used. For the second comparison, a common batch of commercial beef extract was prepared and spiked with known amounts of the four HAAs. The long-term stability study at –18  °C, 4  °C, 25  °C, 40  °C and 60  °C revealed high stability of these four HAAs, during up to 6 months of storage. At 40  °C and 60  °C, however, a significant loss was observed, in particular for PhIP. On the other hand, the 1-year stability study revealed that the HAAs content did not change when beef extract was stored at –18  °C. Details of these homogeneity and stability studies are provided. The sealed ampoules containing beef extract, together with the reference methanolic solutions were sent to the participants in refrigerated container. The eight European laboratories, which participated in the first comparision, adopted the work programme of this exercise. They generally followed a previously agreed upon solid-phase extraction procedure, very similar to that described by Gross [8], with analysis by HPLC. Column conditions, solvent elution and detection by UV, fluorescence, mass spectrometry and electrochemical detection varied between laboratories. The objectives of this second phase of the project were to compare and improve usual routine laboratory methods for the determination of IQ, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx and PhIP in the range of 1–30 ng/g, in a commercial beef extract. The comparision of the results revealed, however, large variations, not only beween but also within laboratories. Major difficulties were encountered by the participants, mainly for the determination of PhIP. Acceptable recovery levels were agreed between participants and different sources of variability in the extraction procedures were identified. In conclusion, whereas the analytical determination of HAAs in beef extract appeared to be satisfactory, the procedures of isolation and purification require further improvement. Received: 23 April 1998     

Formation and mitigation of heterocyclic aromatic amines in fried pork

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are potent mutagens and carcinogens generated during the heat processing of meat. HAAs, which are abundant in processed meat products, include 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP). The content of these three HAAs in fried pork was determined by LC-MS/MS. The effects of frying time and temperature, sample shape, and addition of antioxidants on the generation of HAAs were investigated. The results show that HAAs were produced during frying, and their levels increased with increasing frying time and temperature. Pork patties had the highest concentration of HAAs compared with pork meatballs and pork strips. The addition of antioxidant of bamboo leaves (AOB), liquorice extract, tea polyphenol, phytic acid and sodium iso-ascorbate to pork before frying had an inhibitory effect on HAA generation, with AOB being the most effective antioxidant. Inhibition levels of nearly 69.73% for MeIQx, 53.59% for 4,8-DiMeIQx and 77.07% for PhIP in fried pork were achieved when the concentrations of AOB added were 0.02, 0.01 and 0.10 g kg^?1, respectively.     

Heterocyclic aromatic amines in fried poultry meat

 Heterocyclic aromatic amines are mutagenic compounds that are formed during heating of meat and fish. These substances are products of the reaction of creatine with amino acids and carbohydrates. It is recommended that exposure to these probable human carcinogens should be minimised. In fried boneless lean turkey breast meat five heterocyclic aromatic amines {2-amino-1-methyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo-[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP)} were found. The temperature regime which was applied for frying resulted in a surface temperature of about 140°C. Clean-up was done by acid-base partition followed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using blue cotton. HPLC analysis was carried out using electrochemical detection for IQ- and IQx-type compounds and fluorescence detection for PhIP. The low temperatures used during frying yielded comparably lower amounts of heterocyclic aromatic amines. The concentrations of the aromatic amines were as follows: IQ 1.1 μg/kg, MeIQ 0.9 μg/kg, MeIQx μg/kg, 4,8-DiMeIQx 0.4 μg/kg, and PhIP 3.8 μg/kg. Received: 19 February 1997 / Revised version: 21 April 1997     

Response surface optimization of effects of some processing variables on carcinogenic/mutagenic heterocyclic aromatic amine (HAA) content in cooked patties

A five-factor Central Composite Orthogonal Design was adopted to study simultaneous effects of some processing variables such as NaCl (0-2%), fat (10-30%), ascorbic acid (0-600 ppm), cooking temperature (150-230°C) and cooking time (5-15 min) on physicochemical properties and heterocyclic aromatic amine (HAA) contents of cooked beef patties. The HAAs analyzed were 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP), as quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with photo-diode array detection (HPLC-UV/DAD). It was found that ascorbic acid decreased; however, fat, cooking temperature and time levels increased the contents of IQ, MeIQx, MeIQ and PhIP. In addition, estimated ridge analysis was conducted to find values of the processing variables that maximize and minimize the five HAA contents, revealing that the results obtained would be useful for meat industry aiming to decrease HAA content in cooked meat products.     

Antioxidant spices reduce the formation of heterocyclic amines in fried meat

 Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs) are mutagenic compounds that are formed during heating of meat and fish. These substances are reaction products of creatine with amino acids and carbohydrates. It is recommended that exposure to these probable human carcinogens should be minimised. Five heterocyclic aromatic amines which occur in beef were investigated: 2-amino-3-methyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). Clean-up was done by acid-base partition followed by SPE using blue cotton. HPLC analysis was carried out by using electrochemical detection for IQ- and IQx-type compounds and fluorescence detection for PhIP. The concentrations of the aromatic amines were as follows: IQ, 10.2 μg/kg; MeIQ, 2.46 μg/kg; MeIQx, 13.2 μg/kg; 4,8-DiMeIQx, 2.26 μg/kg; and PhIP, 5.48 μg/kg. The application of spices (rosemary, thyme sage, garlic, brine) reduced the content of the HAs below 60% of the amount found in the control. Received: 23 April 1998     

Effects of varying degrees of doneness on the formation of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines in chicken and beef satay

The study was carried out to determine the effect of cooking method on Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines (HAs) concentration in grilled chicken and beef (satay). Six common HAs were investigated: 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinolone (IQ), 2amino 3,4dimethylimidazo [4,5f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8 trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), 2-amino-3,7,8trimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline (7,8-DiMeIQx), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). Chicken and beef satay samples were grilled to medium and well done level of doneness. Charcoal grilled (treatment A), microwave pre-treatment prior to grilling (treatment B), and microwave-deep fried (treatment C) were applied to beef and chicken satay samples. The satay samples which were microwaved prior to grilling (B) showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower HAs concentration as compared to those charcoal grilled (A). Both medium and well done cooked beef and chicken satay samples that were microwaved and deep fried (C) as an alternative method to grilling were proven to produce significantly lesser HAs as compared to charcoal-grilled (A) and microwaved prior to grilling (B).     

Inhibition of Heterocyclic Amine Formation in Beef Patties by Ethanolic Extracts of Rosemary

ABSTRACT: Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are mutagenic compounds formed during cooking muscle foods at high temperature. Inhibition of HCAs by rosemary extracts were evaluated with beef patties cooked at 191 °C (375 °F) for 6 min each side and 204 °C (400 °F) for 5 min each side. Five rosemary extracts extracted with different solvents were used in this study: extract 100W (100% water), 10E (10% ethanol), 20E (20% ethanol), 30E (30% ethanol), and 40E (40% ethanol). The 5 extracts were directly added to beef patties at 3 levels (0.05%, 0.2%, and 0.5%) before cooking and HCA contents were extracted and quantified. All of the patties contained 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). There was no statistical difference in the inhibition of HCAs in the 0.05%, 0.2%, and 0.5% rosemary extracts. All rosemary extracts significantly decreased the levels of MeIQx and PhIP at both cooking conditions. When cooking at 204 °C (400 °F) for 5 min each side, rosemary extracts 10E and 20E were superior to rosemary extracts 100W, 30E, and 40E in inhibiting HCA formation. Rosemary extract 20E showed the greatest inhibition of MeIQx (up to 91.7%) and PhIP (up to 85.3%). The inhibiting effect of rosemary extracts on HCA formation corresponded to their antioxidant activity based on a DPPH scavenging assay. Rosemary extract 10E and 20E contain a mixture of rosmarinic acid, carnosol, and carnosic acid. It is possible that these compounds might act synergistically in inhibiting the formation of HCAs.     

Inhibitory effect of mixture herbs/spices on formation of heterocyclic amines and mutagenic activity of grilled beef

ABSTRACT

Natural antioxidants in spices and herbs have attracted considerable attention as potential inhibitors against the formation of mutagenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) in heat-processed meat. In this study, the inhibitory activity of four spices/herbs and their mixtures on HCAs formation in grilled beef were examined. A simplex centroid mixture design with four components comprising turmeric, curry leaf, torch ginger and lemon grass in 19 different proportions were applied on beef samples before grilling at 240 ºC for 10 min. The HCAs were extracted from the samples using solid phase extraction (SPE) method and analysed using Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry LC-MS/MS. All spices/herbs in single or mixture forms were found to reduce total HCA concentrations in marinated grilled beef ranging from 21.2% for beef marinated with curry leaf to 94.7% for the combination of turmeric and lemon grass (50:50 w/w). At the optimum marinade formula (turmeric: lemon grass 52.4%: 47.6%), concentration of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinolone (IQ), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), Harman, Norharman and AαC were 2.2, 1.4, 0.5, 2.8 and 1.2 ng/g, respectively. The results of the mutagenic activity demonstrated that this optimised marinade formula significantly (p < 0.05) diminished mutagenicity of marinated grilled beef in bacterial Ames test.     

Analysis of heterocyclic aromatic amines by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: a suitable technique for the routine control of food and process flavours

 Ten heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA; [2-amino-3-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (1); 2-amino-3,4-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (2); 2-amino-3-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (3); 2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (4); 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (5); 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (6); 2amino-3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (7); 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (8); 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-α : 3′,2′-d]imidazole (9); 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-α : 3′,2′-d]imidazole (10)]) were analysed in commercially available meat products and process flavours. After sample preparation by Extrelut treatment, subsequent solid phase extraction applying propylsulphonic and C₁₈ silica cartridges, as well as derivatization with 3,5-bis-trifluoromethylbenzyl bromide, HRGC-electron-impact-ionization-MS (HRGC-EIMS) analysis in the selected ion monitoring mode was performed. Isotope dilution analysis with 2amino-8-methyl-3-(trideuteromethyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5- f]quinoxaline and 2-amino-1-(trideuteromethyl)-6-phenyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine was used to quantify 4 and 8; for 1–3, 5–7, 9 and 10, standard addition was employed as the determination method. The detection limit of 1 ng/g evaluated for 3–6 and 9 was sufficient for routine analysis, i.e. to obtain an initial insight into the grade of a potential HAA contamination of food or process flavours. To obtain more detailed information, the previously developed, more sensitive technique of HPLC-electrospray-tandem-MS (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) has to be used, as shown by the comparison of the data obtained by HRGC-MS and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analyses. Received: 4 March 1999     

Tandem solid phase extraction coupled to LC–ESI–MS/MS for the accurate simultaneous determination of five heterocyclic aromatic amines in processed meat products

Carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines are difficult to measure since only trace levels are present in processed meat products. In this study, typical heterocyclic aromatic amines, including 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f] quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f] quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethyli-midazo [4,5-f] quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimi-dazo [4,5-f] quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-ph-enylimidazo [4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), were studied to develop a sensitive and accurate method for their rapid quantification in animal-derived products, with 2-Amino-3,4,7,8-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f] quinoxalline (TriMeIQx) as an internal standard. Liquid chromatography–electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry conditions were analyzed to enhance detection sensitivity. Diatomaceous earth was employed to extract heterocyclic aromatic amines from meat samples, and the analytes were purified and enriched using tandem solid phase extraction, with siliprep propylsulfonic acid coupled to a C₁₈ cartridge. A number of parameters, including pH, eluent and volume, were carefully optimized to improve the extraction and purification efficiency. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the limits of detection for each analyte within the meat matrix were 0.5 pg (injected). The established method was applied to evaluate commercial meat products. At three spiked levels of 0.2, 1 and 4 μg kg⁻¹, the recoveries and relative standard deviations were measured as 76.4–122.2 and 0.9–23.4%, respectively, suggesting the developed method is promising for the accurate quantification of heterocyclic aromatic amines at trace levels in processed meats.     

Influence of natural food ingredients on the formation of heterocyclic amines in fried beef patties and chicken breasts

The effects of natural food ingredients including Korean bramble, onion, and marinade sauce with water extracts of olive and lotus leaf on the formation of 15 heterocyclic amines (HCAs) were evaluated in fried beef patties and chicken breasts. The patties and chicken breasts containing natural food ingredients were fried at 230 and 200°C for 8 min on each side. Addition of 4 g Korean bramble to beef patties reduced the formation of 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 9H-pyrido [3,4-b]indole (Norharman), and 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido [1,2-a:3′,2′-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1) by 74, 62, and 39%, respectively. Also, when 2 g onion was added to beef patties, the formation of 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), Glu-P-1, MeIQ, Norharman, and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) was inhibited by 100, 96, 88, 74, and 79%, respectively. When marinade sauce containing 2% water extracts of olive and lotus leaf was added to chicken breasts, most HCAs formation was inhibited. Especially, the formation of Glu-P-1, 2-aminodipyrido [1,2-a:3′,2′-d]imidazole (Glu-P-2), and MeIQ were reduced by 100%.     

花椒叶提取物对烤牛肉饼杂环胺形成的影响

以牛肉和花椒叶为研究对象,研究花椒叶提取物（Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. leaf extract,ZME）添加量（0.015%、0.030%、0.045%）对烤牛肉饼中杂环胺（heterocyclic amines,HAs）形成的影响。结果表明,与对照组相比,ZME能够显著抑制烤牛肉饼中总HAs的形成（P＜0.05）,对其最大抑制率为39.87%,但对不同种类HAs形成的影响不同。其中,添加0.045% ZME对2-氨基-1-甲基-6-苯基咪唑并[4,5-b]吡啶、2-氨基-3-甲基咪唑并[4,5-f]喹啉、2-氨基-3,4-二甲基咪唑并[4,5-f]喹啉、1-甲基-9H-吡啶并[3,4-b]吲哚和2-氨基-9H-吡啶并[2,3-b]吲哚的抑制率分别达到71.76%、78.02%、49.07%、35.82%和100%;而0.045% ZME却促进2-氨基-3,8-二甲基咪唑并[4,5-f]喹喔啉和9H-吡啶并[3,4-b]吲哚的形成。进一步分析ZME对烤牛肉饼中HAs前体物的影响,结果显示前体物的消耗随着ZME添加量的增加呈降低趋势,相关性分析表明HAs的形成与多种游离氨基酸的消耗显著相关。上述结果表明ZME能显著抑制烤牛肉饼中HAs的形成,为其提高加工食品安全性及更广泛的应用提供理论依据。     

Chemical analysis and significance of heterocyclic aromatic amines

 Levels of known heterocyclic amines vary from undetectable in many meats sold in fast food restaurants, to over 10 ng/g for meats prepared in restaurants that cook food to order, to hundreds of nanograms per gram for some meats cooked under certain home or laboratory conditions. To simulate the dry reactions that seem to occur at the meat surface we developed a model system to mimic these processes. Mixtures of free amino acids, creatinine and glucose, simulating the composition of beef or chicken, heated at 200  °C, form eight heterocyclic amines. Besides the commonly found 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, 2-amino-1,6-dimethylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, 2-amino-1,5,6-trimethylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and 2-amino-1,6-dimethylfuro[3,2-e]imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine were also found. The calculated risk of consumption of heterocyclic amines is determined by the dietary dose, the extrapolation of carcinogenic potencies from rodents to humans, and the extrapolation of high rodent doses to low human exposures. Results suggest that DNA binding is linear with dose, but that the human DNA forms more adducts per unit dose than that of the rat. Altogether, the risk appears to be equivalent to that for many carcinogens that are regulated. Received: 23 April 1998     

Chemical analysis and significance of heterocyclic aromatic amines

 Levels of known heterocyclic amines vary from undetectable in many meats sold in fast food restaurants, to over 10 ng/g for meats prepared in restaurants that cook food to order, to hundreds of nanograms per gram for some meats cooked under certain home or laboratory conditions. To simulate the dry reactions that seem to occur at the meat surface we developed a model system to mimic these processes. Mixtures of free amino acids, creatinine and glucose, simulating the composition of beef or chicken, heated at 200  °C, form eight heterocyclic amines. Besides the commonly found 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, 2-amino-1,6-dimethylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, 2-amino-1,5,6-trimethylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and 2-amino-1,6-dimethylfuro[3,2-e]imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine were also found. The calculated risk of consumption of heterocyclic amines is determined by the dietary dose, the extrapolation of carcinogenic potencies from rodents to humans, and the extrapolation of high rodent doses to low human exposures. Results suggest that DNA binding is linear with dose, but that the human DNA forms more adducts per unit dose than that of the rat. Altogether, the risk appears to be equivalent to that for many carcinogens that are regulated. Received: 23 April 1998     

Heterocyclic aromatic amines in cooked hamburgers and chicken obtained from local fast food outlets in the Ottawa region

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are formed in protein-rich foods during high temperature cooking such as frying and grilling. Since most HAAs are potent mutagens and almost all are carcinogenic to laboratory animals, their formation in cooked foods is a health concern. In the present study, 31 cooked hamburgers and six chicken preparations were obtained from various fast food outlets in the Ottawa area and analyzed for HAAs. In the developed procedure, ground-up samples were extracted under both acidic and alkaline conditions, cleaned on SPE cartridges, and the concentrations of various HAAs determined using electrospray ionization LC/MS/MS. Deuterium-labelled internal standards of the three most commonly found HAAs (IQ, MeIQx, and PhIP) in such foods were used for quantitation and recovery correction. Varying levels of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) (0.2–6 μg/kg), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) (0.1–3.5 μg/kg), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) (0.3–6.9 μg/kg), and 7,8-dimethyl-IQx (2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline) (0.1–2.9 μg/kg) were detected in most hamburgers, whereas our limited data on the chicken samples (wings, drumsticks, and nuggets) indicated the presence of mainly PhIP (0.1–2.1 μg/kg) and MeIQx (0.1–1.8 μg/kg). Traces of 4,7,8-trimethyl-IQx (<0.1 μg/kg), 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (Trp-P-1) (<0.1–0.3 μg/kg), and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (Trp-P-2) (<0.1–0.8 μg/kg) were also detected in some samples of hamburgers but not in any of the chicken analyzed thus far. Since hamburger is a popular meal among Canadians, regular consumption of such items may contribute substantially to one's dietary intake of HAAs.     

Effects of cooking methods on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines of two different species trout

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are sometimes formed in meats and fish cooked at high temperatures. In the present study, the effects of cooking methods by deep-fat frying, pan-frying, grilling and barbecuing on the formation of HAAs of fillets of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) were investigated. Barbecued brown trout (1 g) was estimated to contain 0.12 ng of IQ (2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline), 0.02 ng 4,8-DiMeIQx (2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline). Grilled rainbow trout (1 g) was estimated to contain 0.02 ng 4,8-DiMeIQx. MeIQ (2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline), MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline) and PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine) were not detectable in all cooked fish.     

A new quick solid-phase extraction method for the quantification of heterocyclic aromatic amines

A new solid-phase extraction (SPE) method using only one SPE cartridge is described as a clean-up procedure for the determination of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). In particular, the polar HAAs imidazoquinolines and imidazoquinoxalines, which are well-known toxic compounds in thermally treated food, can be determined by this quick and simple method. For validation of the method meat extracts were analyzed. For determination of the percentage recovery and standard deviation the beef extract was spiked (40 ng/g of each HAA) and analyzed 10 times. The polar HAAs were determined in this meat extract with a recoveries of 62 % to 95% and standard deviations of 3% to 5%. The recovery rates of the less polar HAAs Harman and Norharman were much lower (25±5% to 32±5%). The limit of detection for polar and less polar HAAs was between 3 ng/g and 9 ng/g in the meat extract matrix. The method comprises extraction with methanolic NaOH, centrifugation and SPE using a commercially available polystyrene copolymer cartridge. After different washing steps the eluate was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. The advantages of this new method are the reduced amounts of time and organic solvents required. Received: 29 November 1999 / Revised version: 21 February 2000     

Principal component analysis to study the effect of temperature fluctuations during storage of frozen potato

 The effects of temperature fluctuation ranges, number of fluctuations carried out, and packaging during frozen storage on the texture of potato tissue in terms of compression, shear, and tension rheological parameters were assessed through data generated according to a factorial design using principal component analysis (PCA). Five ranges of fluctuation (–24  °C to –18  °C, –18  °C to –12  °C, –12  °C to –6  °C, –24  °C to –12  °C and –18  °C to –6  °C) applied 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and up to 32 times on unpacked and pre-packed frozen potatoes, were considered. The controls were unpacked and prepacked frozen tissues thawed immediately without undergoing any fluctuation. In addition, several geometrical, technological, and chemical parameters were determined. PCA showed that maximum shear force, F_s was the best rheological parameter for differentiation of the structural damage and softening occurring in the tissue at each treatment, which was closely related to its duration, TT _d . PCA did not permit complete discrimination between the five fluctuation ranges, but it clearly separated samples subjected to –18  °C/–6   °C from those subjected to –24  °C/–18  °C. Frozen samples undergoing up to four fluctuations formed a separate cluster from those undergoing a higher number. Analysis also clearly separated unpacked from pre-packed samples in response to slower freezing rates reached in the latter. Received: 17 December 1999     

Effects of precursor composition and water on the formation of heterocyclic amines in meat model systems

Model systems based on pressed meat from ox, pork and chicken were used to study the formation of carcinogenic/mutagenic heterocyclic amines (HAs). The composition of precursors (free amino acids, creatine and glucose) was examined and samples were heated in test-tubes under wet and dry conditions at 175 and 200°C for 30 min. Several HAs were detected, and the formation of DMIP (2-amino-1,6-dimethylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine), TMIP (2-amino-1,5,6-trimethyl-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine), IFP (2-amino-1,6-dimethylfuro[3,2-e]imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine) and PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine) was found to be favoured by dry heating conditions. Highest amounts of PhIP and IFP were detected in heated meat juice from chicken breast, while more MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoxaline) was found in heated meat juices from roast beef and pork chop. Norharman (9H-pyrido[3,4-b]-indole) and Harman (1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]-indole) were also detected at high levels.     

Influence of extra virgin olive oil on the formation of heterocyclic amines in roasted beef steak

In this study, heterocyclic anime (HCA) contents were monitored in commonly consumed pan-fried beefsteak based on the highest level of human exposure. Effect of addition of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on HCAs formation in fried beef steaks was evaluated. After EVOO was spread on the meat surface, the raw beef was cooked at 200°C for 5 min on each side. The HCAs were extracted from the meat samples and purified using a solid-phase extraction method and then analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Among the 15 HCAs, 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido-[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1), 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido [4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2), 9H-pyrido [3,4-b]indole (Norharman), 1-methyl-9H-pyrido [3, 4-b]indole (Harman), 2-amino-9H-pyrido [2,3-b]indole (AαC), 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido [2,3-b]indole (MeAαC), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f]-quinoxaline (MeIQx), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP) were detected in all of the cooked beefsteaks. HCAs formation was significantly reduced (p<0.05) when the EVOO was added to the beef prior to cooking. The addition of 2 and 4 g of EVOO considerably inhibited HCAs formation in the fried beefsteak. However, adding excess amounts of EVOO promoted some HCAs formation.