Incidence of tetracycline residues in chicken meat and liver retailed to consumers.

The incidence of tetracyclines' (TCs) residue (oxytetracycline, tetracycline, chlorotetracycline and doxycycline) in fresh chicken samples (meat and liver) collected during one year was recorded. TC residues were analysed using an HPLC-DAD method. The limit of detection for meat was 4.4, 5, 10 and 7 ng g(-1) for OTC, TTC, CTC and DOC, respectively, compared with 5.5, 6, 12 and 9 ng g(-1) stated for liver. The recovery of the method ranged from 91% to 70% depending upon both matrix type and tetracycline kind. The results revealed that 66 (44%) samples contained TC residues including 21 (42%) breast, 19 (38%) thigh and 26 (52%) liver samples. The corresponding contaminated ranges were 124-5812, 107-6010 and 103-8148 µg kg(-1). A total of 12 (8%), 13 (7.33%) and 20 (13.33%) samples of breast, thigh and liver, respectively, had TC residues above the Codex maximum residue limit (MRL). Liver samples had a higher incidence and level than those found in breast or thigh samples.

Changes in biogenic amines in mature and germinating legume seeds and their behavior during cooking.

Ungerminated legume seeds (broad bean, chick pea and lupine) were contained all tested biogenic amines. Tryptamine (TRY) was the main biogenic amine detected, and its concentration considerably increased during the germination. beta-Phenylethylamine (PHE) was detected in small amounts and its concentration slowly increased during germination. The concentration of tyramine (TYR) showed a fluctuation pattern of changes during germination in all tested legumes. The concentrations of cadaverine (CAD) and putrescine (PUT) increased during the germination period in all tested grains. However, histamine (HIS) showed a fluctuated pattern of changes in both broad bean and lupine, and a gradual increase in chick pea. Spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) contents of broad bean and chick pea showed a fluctuation pattern of change, while, a decrement trend of change was recorded for lupine along the germination period. By cooking, legume samples became free of biogenic amines which appeared in the boiling water. Heat treatment seems to have little effect on the concentration of biogenic amines in legume sprouts. The amounts of biogenic amines detected in the boiling water are less than the initial amounts of the sprouts (expected amounts).