Project 3.4 BIOCOM

Biogenic amines in seafoods - assessment and management of consumer exposure

Major achievements in 2007

An extensive mathematical model for growth and histamine formation by the recently identified Morganella psychrotolerans species has been completed. This model includes the effect of temperature, salt, pH and carbon dioxide (modified atmosphere packaging) on growth and histamine formation. The model is the most extensive tool ever developed for prediction of histamine formation in seafood. It is expected that this model will serve as an example for future development of models to predict histamine formation in seafood. The model has been used to evaluate consumer exposure to histamine. Importantly, results from the BIOCOM project have been disseminated both in Europe and internationally. Dissemination activities have included a series of presentation, a book chapter and a Ph.D.-thesis.