Biogenic amines evaluation in wild Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) originating from various FAO areas

The total of 84 Bluefin tunas (Thunnus Thynnus) were analysed in order to obtain an overview of biogenic amines incidences in geographically distant capture fishing FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) zones: Western Indian Ocean (51), Mediterranean Sea (37), Western Central Pacific Ocean (71) and Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean (34). Cadaverine and putrescine were remarkably accumulated in some samples, whereas histamine and spermidine were less abundant, but more frequently present. Histamine concentration was very low in all groups, having the highest value in samples from FAO 51 (median with 25th–75th percentile = 9.3, 4.4–13.4 mg kg−1). Cadaverine was completely absent from tunas deriving from FAOs 51, 37 and 71, while Atlantic Ocean samples demonstrated its noticeable presence (median with 25th–75th percentile = 34.7, 17.6–66.9 mg kg−1). Putrescine generally followed the cadaverine occurrence, but its levels remained very low: FAO 51 and 37 did not reveal any presence, while in FAO 71 slightly elevated concentrations appeared (median with 25th–75th percentile = 6.1, 0–43.3 mg kg−1). There were no significant differences in spermine levels between FAO groups. The results indicate that the established capture, post-capture and storage practices used for Bluefin tunas ensure good quality. A hazardous content could not be detected in the investigated samples and a health risk does not exist. Reported differences in biogenic amine quality and quantity are provoked by environmental conditions and individual variation between FAO areas.