Proximate analysis and histamine determination in oil and natural canned tuna

Canned Tuna is one of the most consumed products in the country because of its easy acquisition, preparation and excellent nutritional properties. The objective of this research was to determine proximate composition and histamine presence in three commercial brands of canned tuna preserved in water and oil, expended in Maracaibo City, Zulia State, Venezuela. 30 cans of each brand were collected, 15 in oil and 15 in water. Sampling was performed five times, in 15 days intervals. Sample acquisition was made at supermarkets. In moisture, protein and ashes determination were used official methods of analysis reported by Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC), and for fat analysis Bligh and Dyer methodology was used. Histamine presence was measured by means of high performance liquid chromatography (H PLC). Differences in proximate composition depending on commercial brand and presentation. Moisture values for tuna canned in water were found between 71.98-75.59%, protein between 21.26-25.22%, fat 1.62-2.66% and ashes 1.48-1.57%. Values for tuna canned in oil were 66.43-67.12% for humidity, 23.44-25.84% for protein, 6.45-8.68% for fat and 1.11-1.46% for ash content. All analyzed canned tuna samples presented histamine, in some cases histamine concentrations were close to limit established by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of 50 ppm, because of this constant monitoring in canned tuna produced in Venezuela is suggested.