Hydrogen-rich water can reduce the formation of biogenic amines in butter.

The formation of biogenic amines in food products forms a serious challenge for food producers and a hazard for consumers. Butter was washed by hydrogen-rich water (HRW) prepared using two methods, i.e. hydrogen-bubbled water (H water) and magnesium-incorporated water (Mg water). After 90 days of storage, the lowest formation levels of biogenic amines were shown for butter samples washed with HRW (H water and Mg water), while the highest levels were identified for the butter samples washed with normal water. Washing raw butter with HRW led to a significant decrease in tryptamine, 2-phenylethylamine, spermidine, and spermine formation. The lowest histamine level was shown for butter samples washed with H and Mg, while the highest level was found for butter washed with normal water. Washing butter with HRW revealed no inhibiting effect on yogurt bacteria during storage. The proposed method involves molecular hydrogen which is non-toxic for humans and the environment.