Bioactive amines changes during the ripening and thermal processes of bananas and plantains

The Increase of Amines Content in the Intake of a Vegan Diet

“…For a lowest risk of total cancer, studies showed that it is important to intake of 600 g/day (7.5 portions/day), however, for coronary heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality the lowest risk was observed at 800 g/day (10 portions/day) [18]. Many studies show a strong and positive correlation between the content of BAs and the antioxidant potential of fruits and vegetables [7,8].…”

“…BAs are involved in several physiological processes and can act as antioxidants [7,8] and some studies relate polyamines to ion channel regulation, DNA methylation, histone acetylation, protein biosynthesis, RNA translation, apoptosis and regulation of the immune response [19], in addition to being considered a secondary messenger, mediating some growth factors in plants [20]. Studies indicate that the BAs present in fruits and vegetables are strong antioxidant compounds with more effective free radical scavenging properties, compared to some natural antioxidants, for example, phenolic compounds [8,21] or well-accepted synthetic compounds, such as α-tocopherol, octyl gallate and palmitoyl-ascorbic acid [22]. In fruits and vegetables, around 22 BAs have already been described, and the most detected BAs are tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, spermine and spermidine [10], while few studies report the detection of serotonin and dopamine [7,8].…”

“…Studies indicate that the BAs present in fruits and vegetables are strong antioxidant compounds with more effective free radical scavenging properties, compared to some natural antioxidants, for example, phenolic compounds [8,21] or well-accepted synthetic compounds, such as α-tocopherol, octyl gallate and palmitoyl-ascorbic acid [22]. In fruits and vegetables, around 22 BAs have already been described, and the most detected BAs are tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, spermine and spermidine [10], while few studies report the detection of serotonin and dopamine [7,8].…”

“…Polyamines (putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine) and biogenic amines (serotonin, dopamine, histamine, tyramine, among others) are called bioactive amines (BAs) and are relevant for both shelf life and final product quality, as well as for human health [6]. Some polyamines play an important role in growth and can act as antioxidants [7][8][9], while other amines are neuroactive or vasoactive [6]. In addition, amines are also described as being indicators of plant-food safety and some countries already limit the amount of some BAs, mainly in fermented foods [10,11].…”

“…Tyramine is also considered harmful to the body [13]. Even though some studies show the levels of amines in plant-based food [7][8][9]14], the number of studies that establish legal limits in foodstuffs is still insufficient.…”