Development of Biogenic Amines in Yellowfin Tuna ( Thunnus albacares ): Effect of Storage and Correlation with Decarboxylase‐Positive Bacterial Flora

The effects of storage at 0,4,10, and 22°C for 0,1,3,5, and 9 d on the quality of yellowfin tuna fillets as determined by microbiological assessment, development of some biogenic amines, and sensory analysis were studied. Tuna fillets stored at 22 °C for 3 d, 10 °C for 5 d, and 4 °C for 9 d were rated unacceptable for consumption. Those stored at 22 °C for 3 d had total aerobic bacterial count of > 8 log 10 CFU/g, a histamine‐producing bacterial population of 7 log 10 CFU/g, and 832 ppm of histamine, 35.8 ppm of putrescine, and 147 ppm of cadaverine. A comparison of the capillary electrophoresis, AOAC fluorometric method, and gas chromatography showed a very good correlation (r 2 > 0.99) among these 3 methods for histamine quantitation in tuna samples. Morganella morganii, Enterobacter agglomerans, Enterobacter intermedium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Proteins vulgaris , and Serratia liquefaciens were the decarboxylase‐positive bacterial species isolated by using the Niven's medium and identified during storage, which were responsible for histamine production in test tuna fillets.