A precise analysis of biogenic amines is important as an indicator of food freshness or spoilage that can cause serious toxicity. This book provides comprehensive background information on biogenic amines and their occurrence in various foods and drinks such as fermented and non-fermented sausages and fish products, cheeses, vegetables and beverages, e.g. beer, cider and wine. It gives a detailed description of both the established analytical methods and the emerging technologies for the analysis of them. As the first book on the detection of biogenic amines in all types of food, it provides help to get a better understanding of the risks associated with biogenic amines and how to avoid them. It serves as an excellent and up-to-date reference for food scientists, food chemists and food safety professionals.

It is widely accepted that increased consumption of seafood is important in dealing with growing health problems such as cardiovascular disease. Based on a major EU Integrated Research Project, SEAFOODplus, this important book reviews the range of research into consumer attitudes towards seafood and the key issues in improving the safety, nutritional and sensory quality of seafood products to meet consumer expectations.After an introductory chapter the book is divided into six parts. The first part of the book reviews consumer attitudes to seafood, including regional differences, the impact of eating quality on product preferences, consumer information needs and attitudes to processed seafood products. Part two discusses research on the important health benefits of seafood consumption in such areas as gastrointestinal health, heart disease and the health of children and young adults. In Part three, the book reviews key seafood safety issues and how they can be managed, from virus contamination and pathogens to histamine and biogenic amines. The following two parts then discuss the range of technologies designed both to optimise the sensory and health benefits of seafood and ensure animal welfare in aquaculture operations. The final part of the book reviews traceability issues.Improving seafood products for the consumer is a valuable reference for the seafood processing industry, and all those concerned with improving the consumption of seafood products. - Reviews the range of research into consumer attitudes towards seafood - Discusses key issues in improving the safety, nutritional and sensory quality of seafood products - Examines the range of technologies available to improve the quality and ensure animal welfare

Process-Induced Food Toxicants combines the analytical, health, and risk management issues relating to all of the currently known processing-induced toxins that may be present in common foods. It considers the different processing methods used in the manufacture of foods, including thermal treatment, drying, fermentation, preservation, fat processing, and high hydrostatic pressure processing, and the potential contaminants for each method. The book discusses the analysis, formation, mitigation, health risks, and risk management of each hazardous compound. Also discussed are new technologies and the impact of processing on nutrients and allergens.

Analysis of Food Toxins and Toxicants consists of five sections, providing up-to-date descriptions of the analytical approaches used to detect a range of food toxins. Part I reviews the recent developments in analytical technology including sample pre-treatment and food additives. Part II covers the novel analysis of microbial and plant toxins including plant pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Part III focuses on marine toxins in fish and shellfish. Part IV discusses biogenic amines and common food toxicants, such as pesticides and heavy metals. Part V summarizes quality assurance and the recent developments in regulatory limits for toxins, toxicants and allergens, including discussions on laboratory accreditation and reference materials.

Biogenic amines (BAs) are low-molecular-mass organic bases that occur in plant- and animal-derived products. BAs in food can occur by free amino acid enzymatic decarboxylation and other metabolic processes. Usually, in the human body, amines contained in foods are quickly detoxified by enzymes such as amine oxidases or by conjugation; however, in allergic individuals or if monoamine oxidase inhibitors are applied, the detoxification process is disturbed and BAs accumulate in the body. Knowing the concentration of BAs is essential because they can affect human health and also because they can be used as freshness indicators to estimate the degree of food spoilage.

While systems such as GMP and HACCP assure a high standard of food quality, foodborne poisonings still pose a serious hazard to the consumer's health. The lack of knowledge among some producers and consumers regarding the risks and benefits related to food makes it imperative to provide updated information in order to improve food safety. To

An internationally respected editorial team and array of chapter contributors has developed the Handbook of Fermented Meat and Poultry, an updated and comprehensive hands-on reference book on the science and technology of processing fermented meat and poultry products. Beginning with the principles of processing fermented meat and ending with discussions of product quality, safety, and consumer acceptance, the book takes three approaches: background and principles; product categories; and product quality and safety. The historical background on the fermentation of meat and poultry products is followed by a series of discussions on their science and technology: curing, fermentation, drying and smoking, basic ingredients (raw product, additives, spices, and casings), and starter cultures. Coverage of product categories details the science and technology of making various fermented meat and poultry products from different parts of the world, including: semidry-fermented sausages (summer sausage), dry-fermented sausages (salami), sausages from other meats, and ripened meat products (ham). Product quality and safety is probably the most important aspect of making fermented meat and poultry because it addresses the question of consumer acceptance and public health safety. While a processor may produce a wonderful sausage, the product must ultimately satisfy the consumer in terms of color, texture, taste, flavor, packaging, and so on. In the current political and social climate, food safety has a high priority. Coverage includes issues such as spoilage microorganisms, pathogens, amines, toxins, HACCP and disease outbreaks.

Fermented Foods in Health and Disease Prevention is the first scientific reference that addresses the properties of fermented foods in nutrition by examining their underlying microbiology, the specific characteristics of a wide variety of fermented foods, and their effects in health and disease. The current awareness of the link between diet and health drives growth in the industry, opening new commercial opportunities. Coverage in the book includes the role of microorganisms that are involved in the fermentation of bioactive and potentially toxic compounds, their contribution to health-promoting properties, and the safety of traditional fermented foods. Authored by worldwide scientists and researchers, this book provides the food industry with new insights on the development of value-added fermented foods products, while also presenting nutritionists and dieticians with a useful resource to help them develop strategies to assist in the prevention of disease or to slow its onset and severity. - Provides a comprehensive review on current findings in the functional properties and safety of traditional fermented foods and their impact on health and disease prevention - Identifies bioactive microorganisms and components in traditional fermented food - Includes focused key facts, helpful glossaries, and summary points for each chapter - Presents food processors and product developers with opportunities for the development of fermented food products - Helps readers develop strategies that will assist in preventing or slowing disease onset and severity

A multidisciplinary resource, Food Proteins and Peptides: Chemistry, Functionality, Interactions, and Commercialization enables researchers in biochemistry, biotechnology, food science and technology, nutrition, and medicine to understand the physicochemical and biochemical factors that govern the functionality of these food components. Following chapters on the structure and chemistry of amino acids, peptides, and proteins, the book describes modes of characterization and the functional relationships of food proteins. It examines protein solubility and insolubility and explores proteins and peptides as emulsifying and foaming agents. Specialized topics include: Factors affecting heat-induced casein–whey protein interactions in bovine milk systems The effects of protein–saccharide interactions on the properties of food components Ameliorative action of peptides on cholesterol and lipid metabolism Proteins and peptides with elements of sweetness, kokumi, umami, and bitterness A new approach for the large-scale fractionation of peptides based on their amphoteric nature The book examines the source of bioactive peptides and describes their bioavailability, including their absorption and occurrence in human blood. It also provides a database of biologically active proteins and peptides. Final chapters review current status, future industrial perspectives, and future trends of bioactive food proteins and peptides and explore the role of nanotechnology in protein research. With contributions from a panel of international scientists, this volume captures the state of the art in protein and peptide research, providing a launching pad for further inquiry and discovery.

Presenting up-to-date information on current diagnostic methods and treatment options, this guide describes the effects of food allergies on the skin, mucous membranes, and respiratory and digestive tracts; discusses treatment by allergists and other healthcare professionals; and empowers readers to manage their food allergies.