Histamine Formation in Abusively Stored Pacific Mackerel: Effect of CO ₂ ‐Modified Atmosphere

Abstract

ABSTRACT Whole Pacific mackerel ( Scomber japonicus ) were abusively stored at 20°C in air or 80% CO 2 , balance air. Samples were analyzed for amines using a modified amino acid analyzer. Following 24 hr storage, levels of histamine, tyramine, putrescine, and cadaverine increased only slightly above the low levels observed initially. During the next 24 hr, the amine content increased dramatically. Levels in the air control samples were about twice those in the modified atmosphere samples. In a separate trial, amine levels in fish stored 3 days were higher still and similar in the two atmospheres. Thus, in neither trial did CO 2 ‐modified atmosphere storage lead to increased production of potentially toxic amines.