Molecular Methods for the Detection of Biogenic Amine-producing Bacteria on Foods

Biogenic amines are low molecular weight organic bases that can be detected in raw and processed foods. Several toxicological problems resulting from the ingestion of food containing biogenic amines have been described. Biogenic amines are mainly produced by the decarboxylation of certain amino acids by microbial action. Since the ability of microorganisms to decarboxylate amino acid is highly variable, being in most cases strain-specific, the detection of bacteria possessing amino acid decarboxylase activity is important to estimate the risk of biogenic amine food content and to prevent biogenic amine accumulation in food products. Molecular methods for the early and rapid detection of these producer bacteria are becoming an alternative to traditional culture methods. PCR methods offer the advantages of speed, sensitivity, simplicity and specific detection of amino acid decarboxylase genes. Moreover, these molecular methods detect potential biogenic amine risk formation in food before the amine is produced. The aim of the present review is to give a complete overview of the molecular methods proposed in the literature for the detection of biogenic amine-producing bacteria. These genetic procedures allow the introduction of early control measures to avoid the development of these bacteria.