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.     

Quantitation of heterocyclic aromatic amines in ready to eat meatballs by ultra fast liquid chromatography

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) in meatballs ready to eat and sold in restaurants in Turkey were determined. A solid phase extraction method was used to isolate HCAs from meatballs. Various HCAs analysed by ultra fast liquid chromatography (UFLC) were varying levels of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) (up to 1.59 ng/g), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (IQx) (up to 3.81 ng/g), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) (up to 0.66 ng/g), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) (not detected or not quantified), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx) (not detected or not quantified), 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (7,8-DiMeIQx) (up to 0.43 ng/g), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP) (up to 1.93 ng/g), 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC) (up to 0.35 ng/g), and 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeAαC) (up to 0.43 ng/g) in cooked meatballs which are consumed in Turkey. Overall average of total HCA amount was 5.54 ng/g. The present study is to prove that HCAs can be isolated in a very short time (5 min) by using UFLC.     

Occurrence of heterocyclic amines in cooked meat products

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs), potent mutagens and a risk factor for human cancers, are produced in meats cooked at high temperature. The aim of this study was to determine the HCA content in cooked meat products (beef, chicken, pork, fish) prepared by various cooking methods (pan frying, oven broiling, and oven baking at 170 to 230 °C) that are preferred by U.S. meat consumers. The primary HCAs in these samples were PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]pyridine) (1.49-10.89 ng/g), MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline) (not detected-4.0 ng/g), and DiMeIQx (2-amino-3,4,8-trimethyl-imidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline) (not detected-3.57 ng/g). Type and content of HCAs in cooked meat samples were highly dependent on cooking conditions. The total HCA content in well-done meat was 3.5 times higher than that of medium-rare meat. Fried pork (13.91 ng/g) had higher levels of total HCAs than fried beef (8.92 ng/g) and fried chicken (7.00 ng/g). Among the samples, fried bacon contained the highest total HCA content (17.59 ng/g).     

Analysis of heterocyclic amines and β-carbolines by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry in cooked meats commonly consumed in Korea

Heterocyclic amines (HAs), which form in meats during heating and cooking, are recognized as mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds. In this study, 13 HAs and 2 β-carbolines (BCs) were analyzed in cooked Korean meat products, including griddled bacon, griddled pork loin, boiled pork loin, boiled chicken meat, chicken meat stock, chicken breast for salad and chicken patty. The samples were either cooked in the laboratory or purchased from local fast-food restaurants. The HAs and BCs in the samples were separated using solid-phase extraction and were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS). The most frequently detected HAs and BCs in the cooked meats were harman (1-methyl-9H pyrido[4,3-b]indole; 990.9 ng g^?1), norharman (9H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole; 412.7 ng g^?1) and PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine; 258.2 ng g^?1). The griddled pork loin and bacon contained higher levels of norharman, harman and PhIP than the other cooked meats. PhIP, which is classified as a Group 2B carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, had levels of 258.2 and 168.2 ng g^?1 in the griddled pork loin and griddled bacon, respectively. The griddled bacon was the only sample containing TriMeIQx (2-amino-3,4,7,8-tetramethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline; 79.9 ng g^?1). IQ (2-amino-3-methyl imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline), 7,8-DiMeIQx (2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline), 4,8-DiMeIQx (2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline) and AαC (2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole) were detected at trace levels in all samples.     

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     

Determination of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines in Cooked Commercial Frozen Meat Products by Ultrafast Liquid Chromatography

This paper describes a method for the determination of nine heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) in commercial frozen meat products, which were sold in Turkey by ultrafast liquid chromatography (UFLC) with ultraviolet visible detection. HCAs are separated on a Shim-pack XR-ODS (7.5?×?3 mm, 2.2 μm). Varying levels of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) (up to 1.95 ng/g), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (IQx) (up to 4.17 ng/g), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) (up to 0.69 ng/g), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) (up to 0.83 ng/g), 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx) (up to 0.22 ng/g), 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (7,8-DiMeIQx) (up to 0.94 ng/g), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP) (up to 4.58 ng/g), 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC) (up to 0.57 ng/g), and 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeAαC) (up to 3.51 ng/g) were detected in these commercial frozen meat products of Turkey. The data obtained show clearly that HCAs could be isolated in a very short time (5 min) by using UFLC.     

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).     

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.     

Development of a New Extraction Method for Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines Determination in Cooked Meatballs

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) are mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds that are produced in meats cooked at high temperature. In this study, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[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), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), 9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (norharman), and 1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (harman) were studied. A new extraction method was developed for the determination of heterocyclic amines with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Linearity for each HCA was observed with a high regression coefficient (r?=?0.9999, P?<?0.01 for IQ; r?=?0.9990, P?<?0.01 for MeIQx; r?=?0.9989, P?<?0.01 for 4,8-DiMeIQx; r?=?0.9934, P?<?0.05 for PhIP; r?=?1.000, P?<?0.01 for norharman; r?=?0.9991, P?<?0.01 for harman). Limits of detection for various HCAs were found between 0.04 and 1.40 ng/g. Limits of quantification were found in the range of 0.13–4.40 ng/g. Recovery rates varied from 68.9 % to 87.8 %. This method was compared with two different common HCA extraction methods in literature. The optimized new extraction method and the other two methods were used for the determination of HCAs in ten different cooked meatball samples. Sample extraction procedures of HCAs were investigated in more detail, and a rapid, accurate, precise, and reliable extraction method was developed.     

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.     

Antioxidant capacity and inhibitory effect of grape seed and rosemary extract in marinades on the formation of heterocyclic amines in fried beef patties

The effect of oil-based marinades containing grape seed extract (Vitis vinifera L.; 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 g/100 g) formulated in a water/oil emulsion or rosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis; 0.12, 0.2, 0.6, 1.0 and 1.5 g/100 g) in oil on the formation of heterocyclic amines (HAs) in fried beef patties was examined. After application of marinades and frying, four HAs MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline), PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5b]pyridine), Norharman, and Harman were found at low levels in all fried patties, MeIQx (0.3–1.0 ng/g), and PhIP (0.02–0.3 ng/g). The content of MeIQx and PhIP were significantly reduced by approx. 57% and 90% (p < 0.05), respectively, after use of marinades containing the highest extract concentration. The antioxidant capacity of grape seed was about two-times greater than that of rosemary extract. A correlation between inhibition of HAs and Trolox-equivalents (MeIQx, R² = 0.85, p < 0.001; PhIP, R² = 0.83, p < 0.001) was found. Sensory tests showed a high acceptance of flavour and colour for controls and samples.     

Binding of 14C-Labeled Food Mutagens (IQ, MeIQ, MeIQx) by Dietary Fiber In Vitro

Binding of three mutagens, known to occur in fried or broiled foods, by thirteen different types of dietary fiber was investigated in vitro. Nonspecific binding by other food polymers was minimized by using protease and amylase treatment. Water-insoluble fiber components were responsible for most of the binding capacity. Generally, a slightly larger proportion of 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ) than of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo] -4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) was bound. There was a significant correlation between Klason lignin content and binding of mutagens. Optimum pH for binding was between 4 and 6. Dietary fiber from sorghum had the highest binding capacity, which could be due to the presence of a large Klason lignin fraction.     

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.     

Dietary exposure to heterocyclic amines in high-temperature cooked meat and fish in Malaysia

The intake of heterocyclic amines is influenced by the amount and type of meat and fish ingested, frequency of consumption, cooking methods, cooking temperature, and duration of cooking. In this study, the dietary intake of heterocyclic amines in Malaysia and their main sources were investigated. Forty-two samples of meat and fish were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector to determine the concentration of the six predominant heterocyclic amines, namely: 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f] 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-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline (7,8-DiMeIQx), and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). Dietary intake data were obtained using a food-frequency questionnaire when interviewing 600 Malaysian respondents. The level of total heterocyclic amines in food samples studies ranged from not detected to 38.7 ng g^?1. The average daily intake level of heterocyclic amine was 553.7 ng per capita day^?1. The intake of PhIP was the highest, followed by MeIQx and MeIQ. The results reveal that fried and grilled chicken were the major dietary source of heterocyclic amines in Malaysia. However, the heterocyclic amine intake by the Malaysian population was lower than those reported from other regions.     

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%.     

Formation of heterocyclic amine–amino acid adducts by heating in a model system

Although mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are known to be formed in cooked meat and fish, human HCA exposure and carcinogenic risk have not been elucidated in sufficient detail. In this work, we investigated the formations of HCA–amino acid adducts in a model system by using a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry to elucidate another source of human HCA exposure. The 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) adduct with glycine was formed easily by heating at 200 °C within 5 min, which is probably based on the dehydration condensation of the amino group of PhIP and carboxyl group of glycine. PhIP and other HCAs such as 2-amino-3-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinolone, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoxaline and 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole, also bound with various amino acids by heating. Among these amino acids, proline tends to form adducts with HCAs, but serine, cysteine and lysine hardly bound with HCAs. These results provided a basic understanding of the formation of HCA adducts with amino acids during cooking.     

Effects of ageing and low internal temperature of grilling on the formation of heterocyclic amines in beef Longissimus dorsi muscle

The mutagenic heterocyclic amines (HAs) originate in processed proteinaceous food. The effects of ageing (non-aged - i.e. 24 h post mortem vs. 14 and 28 days post mortem kept at 1 °C) and final internal temperature on cooking (T_i, 65 and 80 °C) on the content of HAs in grilled steaks (two-plated grill, temperature of 220 °C) were studied. HA precursors (creatine, creatinine, and free amino acids) and ageing indicators, such as instrumentally measured colour values, pH_ultimate values and length of myofibrilar fragments on raw and cutting values on grilled beef Longissimus dorsi muscles were determined. The muscles originated from eight commercially slaughtered Simmental bulls, 19-20 months old. The content of HAs was determined by a solid-phase extraction procedure. Meat ageing is accompanied by large changes in the chemical composition and structure of muscle tissues. In general, all the ageing indicators and precursors of HAs were influenced by ageing time at the 5% level or less. Creatine content declined significantly (non-aged: 6.00 mg g⁻¹, 14 days: 5.82 mg g⁻¹, and 28 days: 5.55 mg g⁻¹) and creatinine increased with days of ageing (non-aged: 0.19 mg g⁻¹, 14 days: 0.24 mg g⁻¹, and 28 days: 0.26 mg g⁻¹). Higher contents of total free amino acids were determined after 14 and 28 days of storage (28.18 μmol g⁻¹ and 37.59 μmol g⁻¹) than in non-aged beef (19.00 μmol g⁻¹). In this study, two HAs were determined: MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline) and PhIP (2—amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine). The content of HAs increases with ageing. At lower T_i, more MeIQx was formed; at higher T_i, more PhIP was formed. MeIQx was present in all samples while PhIP was found only in samples grilled to higher T_i. Samples treated to T_i = 80 °C generally contained less HAs (non-aged meat: 0.20 ng g⁻¹, 14 days: 0.26 ng g⁻¹, and 28 days: 0.28 ng g⁻¹) than samples treated to T_i = 65 °C (non-aged meat: 0.19 ng g⁻¹, 14 days: 0.36 ng g⁻¹, and 28 days: 0.39 ng g⁻¹) on account of MeIQx thermolability.     

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     

Heterocyclic amines and azaarenes in pan-fried meat and its gravy fried without additives and in the presence of onion and garlic

The effect of onion and garlic on the formation of heterocyclic amines (HAs, aminoazaarenes) and azaarenes (aza-PAHs) was evaluated by comparing the concentrations of several compounds in meat and gravy samples, obtained from three pork dishes prepared in the presence and absence of these spices. The concentrations of individual HAs (8-MeIQx, MeIQ, 4,8-DiMeIQx, PhIP) were from 0.5 ng g⁻¹ to 10.5 ng g⁻¹ of meat and of azaarenes (benzo[a]acridine, benzo[c]acridine, dibenzo[a,c]acridine, dibenzo[a,j]acridine and dibenzo[a,h]acridine) – from 0.06 ng g⁻¹ to 0.99 ng g⁻¹. The addition of onion (30 g/100 g of meat) in the dishes investigated, caused a decrease in heterocyclic amines concentration (considering total contents in meat and gravy) in the range of 31–49% and of azaarenes by 21–48%. Garlic (15 g/100 g of meat) lowered the concentration of HAs by 26–36% and azaarenes by 33–40%; the changes in concentrations caused by these spices were different for particular compounds. Components of onion and garlic intensify the extraction of heterocyclic amines and azaarenes from meat in gravy.