Amines in fresh beef of normal pH and the role of bacteria in changes in concentration observed during storage in vacuum packs at chill temperatures.

The amine content of fresh and vacuum-packaged beef of normal pH stored at 1 degree C was evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography of dansyl derivatives. Fresh samples contained five amines, viz. putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, spermine and spermidine.

Bacterial sources of putrescine and cadaverine in chill stored vacuum-packaged beef.

Of the meat strains of streptobacteria, leuconostocs, Enterobacteriaceae and Brochothrix thermosphacta tested, only Hafnia alvei and Serratia liquefaciens showed diamine-producing potential during growth in pure culture on beef stored in vacuum packs at 1 degree C. Both organisms produced cadaverine at concentrations similar to those reported previously in naturally contaminated beef stored under the same conditions. Putrescine concentrations produced by the two organisms, however, were an order of magnitude lower.