A comparison of the TLC-densitometry and HPLC method for the determination of biogenic amines in fish and fishery products

A comparative study on the suitability of chromatographic techniques such as thin layer chromatography (TLC-densitometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the analysis of biogenic amines in fish and fishery products was carried out. The HPLC method was found to offer a good linearity (5-100 ng). sensitivity and repeatability (< 3%), but required sophisticated instrumentation, technical skill and high operational cost and time. On the other hand, with a little loss in linearity (20-300 ng) and repeatability (< 8%), TLC-densitometry was found to be rapid and less expensive. In addition, this method is suitable for rapid and simultaneous screening of several samples at a time. Therefore, the TLC-densitometric method can be effectively used in the fish industry to detect biogenic amines, especially the toxic histamine, and putrescine and cadaverine, which can potentiate histamine toxicity in fish and fishery products. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.