THE DETERMINATION OF BIOGENIC-AMINES IN SILAGE

Biogenic amines are formed in silage as products of the undesirable decarboxylation of amino acids. They are harmful to ruminants and reduce their performance. The content of amines in silage can serve as another indicator of the quality of preserved forage. An HPLC method for determining putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine and histamine was adapted for the analysis of silage. It is suitable for laboratories equipped with simple isocratic HPLC apparatus fitted with a UV/VIS photometric detector. Chemicals used in the determination are easily obtainable. Amines mentioned above can be determined in the form of N-substituted benzylamides in concentrations of up to 1-5 mg/kg of fresh silage.