Evaluation of the ecotoxicological effects of biogenic amines derived from cadaverous putrefaction on springtails Folsomia candida.

Necro-leachate, a liquid released during cadaveric decomposition, is considered the main culprit for impacts on cemetery environments. The biogenic amines cadaverine and putrescine make up part of the composition of necro-leachate and have a certain toxicity to different organisms. Springtails are among the most used bioindicators to assess the impacts of soil contaminants. As there are no data on the acute and chronic toxicity of springtails exposed to cadaverine and putrescine, the objective of this study was to evaluate the toxic potential of both amines, under the behavioral effect of avoidance and reproduction in the species Folsomia candida. Springtails were exposed to soils contaminated with different concentrations of cadaverine and putrescine, and different mixtures of these amines. To evaluate the avoidance and reproduction test, the individuals were exposed for periods of 48 h and 28 days, respectively. The results obtained in the avoidance test showed that springtails exhibited a preference for the treated soil in both isolated and mixed treatments. The chronic evaluation assays showed that the reproduction was affected, particularly in the treatments with combined amines, resulting in a reduction in the total number of juveniles. From the results, it is possible to infer that the methods applied in this research have provided information that will contribute to a better understanding of the toxicity of putrefactive biogenic amines, since there exist few ecotoxicological studies carried out with these amines, and especially with those from cemetery environments.

Another casualty of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic-the environmental impact.

Cemetery leachate generated by the process of cadaveric decomposition is a significant contaminant of several matrices in the cemetery environment (soil, groundwater, and surface water). The biogenic amines cadaverine and putrescine stand out among the cemetery leachate contaminants, since they are potentially carcinogenic compounds. This review article presents a discussion of possible environmental impacts caused by the increase in deaths resulting from COVID-19 as its central theme. The study also aims to demonstrate the importance of considering, in this context, some climatic factors that can alter both the time of bodily decomposition and the longevity of the virus in the environment. Additionally, some evidence for the transmission of the virus to health professionals and family members after the patient's death and environmental contamination after the burial of the bodies will also be presented. Several sources were consulted, such as scientific electronic databases (NCBI), publications by government agencies (e.g., ARPEN, Brazil) and internationally recognized health and environmental agencies (e.g., WHO, OurWorldInData.org), as well as information published on reliable websites available for free (e.g., CNN) and scientific journals related to the topic. The data from this study sounds the alarm on the fact that an increase in the number of deaths from the complications of COVID-19 has generated serious environmental problems, resulting from Cemetery leachate.

A useful procedure for detection of polyamines in biological samples as a potential diagnostic tool in cancer diagnosis

Background: Polyamines present in human body are frequently considered as markers of occurrence of cancer. Therefore, the availability of simple and efficient method for determination of their level in body liquids and tissues is of some interest. Methods: Supported liquid membrane technology coupled with HPLC seems to be an appropriate technique to follow the level of polyamines in human blood and urine. Thus, the membranes of two different geometries: flat sheet and hollow fiber were studied as a mean for separation and enrichment of studied polyamines from urine and tissue samples in order to prepare samples to be analyzed by HPLC. Conclusions: Developed extraction systems offer an interesting alternative to traditional techniques such as: liquid-liquid or solid-phase extraction due to several features, which are: very high enrichment of polyamines without previous work-up, simple procedure of extraction and tiny volume of organic solvents used. This enables efficient determination of their levels in body liquids (AU)

Quality assurance of histamine analysis in fresh and canned fish.

Histamine determination is relevant for fish safety, quality and trade. Recently a study by the European Union (EU) compared the Codex and the EU mandated methods for the analysis of histamine and observed that they underestimated and overestimated the results, respectively. To solve this problem, a simple and efficient procedure for the extraction and quantification of histamine by ion-pair HPLC method with post-column derivatization and fluorimetric detection is proposed. It was optimized and validated for the analysis of histamine in fish. The method attended the performance criteria established by Commission Decision 2002/657/CE. The method was also submitted to proficiency testing; uncertainty was calculated; and the stability of solutions and standards was investigated. There was no matrix effect. The LOD, LOQ, CCα and CCß were fit for the purpose. The method was successfully used in the analyses of freshwater fish and fresh and canned tuna.

Bioactive amines in Passiflora are affected by species and fruit development.

Bioactive amines were determined in selected passion fruit species and throughout fruit development. The same amines (spermine, spermidine, agmatine, putrescine and tryptamine) were found in four Passiflora species (2008-2010 growing seasons) at different concentrations: P. alata had higher polyamines (spermine+spermidine, 8.41mg/100g); P. setacea and P. nitida had higher putrescine (>7.0mg/100g); and P. setacea had higher agmatine contents (1.37mg/100g) compared to the others. The indolamine tryptamine was present at low concentrations in all species (~0.05mg/100g). P. nitida and P. alata had the highest soluble solids (~18°Brix); P. edulis had the lowest pH (2.97) and P. nitida the highest pH (4.19). Throughout P. setacea fruit development, the concentrations of spermidine, putrescine and agmatine decreased; spermine contents did not change; and pH decreased. Fruit shelf life and some of the health promoting properties of Passiflora and their synthesis are modulated by species.

Polyamines in conventional and organic vegetables exposed to exogenous ethylene.

Relationships between endogenous levels of polyamines by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography (GC), nitrate and response to the application of ethylene were established between organic and conventional vegetables (broccoli, collard greens, carrots and beets), both raw and cooked. Responses to ethylene showed that organic plants were less responsive to the growth regulator. The levels of free polyamines obtained by TLC were higher in organic vegetables. Organic broccoli showed higher levels of putrescine (Put), and cooking resulted in lowering the overall content of these amines. Conventional collard green showed the highest level of putrescine in the leaves compared with organic. Tubers of carrots and beets contain the highest levels of Put. These plants also contain high levels of spermine. GC analysis showed the highest polyamines contents compared with those obtained by TLC. Cooking process decreased putrescine and cadaverine content, both in conventionally and organically grown vegetables. Organic beets contain lower NO3(-) compared with its conventional counterpart.

Determination of biogenic amines by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) in probiotic cow's and goat's fermented milks and acceptance.

This study evaluated the presence of biogenic amines in fermented cow's and goat's milks containing probiotic bacteria, during the first 10 days of chilled storage (4 ± 2°C), when the probiotic strains are most viable. The overall acceptance of both fermented milks, produced using the same starter culture and probiotics, was tested. In both products, the initially high levels of tyramine (560 mg kg(-1) means for both fermented milks), the predominant biogenic amine, increased during the storage period, which may be considered this amine as a quality index for fermented milks. The other principal biogenic amines (putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, and spermidine) were produced on days 1-5 of storage, and thereafter decreased. At the end of the 10th day, these amines, respectively, showed values of fermented cow's milk 20.26, 29.09, 17.97, and 82.07 mg kg(-1); and values of fermented goat's milk 22.92, 29.09, 34.85, and 53.85 mg kg(-1), in fermented cow's and goat's milk. Fermented cow's milk was well accepted compared to fermented goat's milk. The results suggested that the content of biogenic amines may be a criterion for selecting lactic acid bacteria used to produce fermented milks.

Bioactive amines in Mozzarella cheese from milk with varying somatic cell counts.

The influence of somatic cells counts (SCC) in milk on bioactive amines in Mozzarella cheese was investigated. High SCC milk had lower lactose and higher pH compared to low and medium SCC. Low spermine levels were found in milk irrespective of SCC. The cheeses had similar characteristics, but the extension and depth of proteolysis increased with SCC. Cheese from all SCC categories contained spermine; whereas tyramine and tryptamine were only detected in cheese from high SCC milk. During 60-days refrigerated storage, significant positive effects were observed between SCC and proteolysis, storage time and pH and storage time and proteolysis. There was a significant positive effect of storage time on spermine and serotonin levels. Only cheese from high SCC milk showed significantly higher serotonin levels. Tyramine and tryptamine were found in cheese from high SCC milk.

Bioactive amines in sorghum: method optimisation and influence of line, tannin and hydric stress.

The profile and levels of bioactive amines in different sorghum lines were reported for the first time. The amines were quantified by ion-pair HPLC, post-column derivatisation with o-phthalaldehyde and fluorimetric detection. The extraction procedure was optimised: 420 µm particle size, extraction with 5% trichloroacetic acid and three extractions. The screening of 22 sorghum lines showed that four of the ten amines investigated were detected. Spermine and spermidine were the prevalent amines (100%), followed by putrescine (77%) and cadaverine (14%). Total amines ranged from 5.8 to 41.4 mg/100 g, and the polyamines represented 60-100% of the total. Sorghum without tannin had higher amines levels compared to sorghum with tannin and cadaverine was specific to samples without tannin. Hydric stress caused accumulation of spermidine in the grains and affected the levels of other amines at rates depending on the presence or not of tannin. Sorghum is a significant source of polyamines.