Influence of different oligosaccharides and inulin on heterocyclic aromatic amine formation and overall mutagenicity in fried ground beef patties

Carbonyl-trapping by phenolics and the inhibition of the formation of carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines with the structure of aminoimidazoazaarene in beef patties

Carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) with the structure of aminoimidazoazaarene (PhIP, MeIQx, IQ, and MeIQ) are produced by reaction of creatin(in)e, ammonia, and reactive carbonyls (phenylacetaldehyde, acrolein, and crotonaldehyde). In an attempt to provide efficient methodologies for HAA reduction in beef patties, this study: identified phloroglucinol as the most efficient phenolic to reduce HAA formation (76-96% inhibition); isolated and characterized by NMR and MS phloroglucinol/phenylcetaldehyde and phloroglucinol/acrolein adducts; and determined by LC-MS/MS adduct formation in beef patties treated with phloroglucinol. Obtained results suggested that addition of trihydroxyphenols (including phloroglucinol) to beef patties should decrease HAA formation. This was confirmed by both immersing beef patties in apple (or pear) juice before cooking (>90% inhibition) and including wheat bran in patty recipe. All these results confirm the key role of reactive carbonyls in the formation of carcinogenic HAAs and propose carbonyl-trapping as a way for controlling HAA formation in food products.

Application of oligosaccharides in meat processing and preservation

In recent decades, consumer preference and attention to foodstuff presented as healthy and with desirable nutritional information, has increased significantly. In this field, the meat industry has a challenging task since meat and meat products have been related to various chronic diseases. Functional ingredients have emerged in response to the increasing demand for healthier and more nutritious foods. On this matter, oligosaccharides such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), xylooligosaccharides (XOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and chitooligosaccharides (COS) have been presented as suitable ingredients for the meat industry with the aim of obtaining healthier meat derivatives (e.g. with low fat or sugar content, reduced amount of additives, and desirable functional properties, etc.). However, studies considering application of such oligomers in the meat sector are scarce. In addition, a large number of issues remain to be solved related both to obtaining and characterizing the oligosaccharides available in the industry and to the effect that these ingredients have on the features of meat products (mainly physicochemical and sensory). The study of new oligosaccharides, the methodologies for obtaining them, and their application to new meat products should be promoted, as well as improving knowledge about their effects on the properties of functional meat foods.

Effects of the Deacetylation Degree of Chitosan on 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) Formation in Chemical Models and Beef Patties

The effects of the deacetylation degree (DD) of chitosan on heterocyclic aromatic amine formation were investigated in chemical models and beef patties. The results in model systems showed that at lower addition levels (10 mg), chitosan with 85% DD showed the strongest inhibitory effect against 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) formation, while chitosan with a higher DD (95%) or a lower DD (72 and 50%) did not show any significantly inhibitory effect. Further mechanism study showed that chitosan addition reduced the content of Maillard reaction intermediates including phenylacetaldehyde and the aldol condensation product but increased the PhIP precursor creatinine residue in the chemical model, indicating that chitosan at least partially competed with creatinine to react with phenylacetaldehyde to inhibit PhIP formation. In roast beef patties, 0.15% (w/w) chitosan (85% DD) significantly reduced the formation of PhIP, MeIQx, 4,8-DiMeIQx, Harman, and Norharman by 56.21, 33.32, 31.35, 25.14, and 28.12%, respectively. Moreover, chitosan significantly inhibited the formation of aldehydes in roast beef patties, further confirming the above-mentioned inhibition mechanism. However, the addition of chitosan might promote fatty acid oxidation. In addition, chitosan addition below 0.15% (w/w) had no significant effect on the textural properties of the roast samples.

Heterocyclic Amine Formation and Mitigation in Processed Meat and Meat Products: A Mini-Review

ABSTRACT

This review provides an assessment of heterocyclic amine (HCA) formation and mitigation in processed meat and meat products. HCAs are formed when amino acids react with creatine during thermal processing of meat and meat products. The formation of HCAs depends on various factors, including the temperature, cooking time, fat contents, and presence of HCA precursors such as water, lipids, and marinades. Additional factors that could affect HCA formation are pH, meat type, and ingredients added during cooking such as antioxidants, amino acids, ions, fat, and sugars, which promote production of HCAs. 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoline, and 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline are HCAs of importance because of their link to cancer in humans. More than 25 HCAs have been identified in processed foods. Of these, nine HCAs are possible human carcinogens (group 2B) and one is a probable human carcinogen (group 2A). To mitigate HCA generation during heat processing, various techniques have been used, including recipe variations, adjustments of thermal processing conditions, addition of flavorings, pretreatments such as microwave heating, and addition of naturally occurring and artificial antioxidants.

HIGHLIGHTS

Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines in Meat: Formation, Isolation, Risk Assessment, and Inhibitory Effect of Plant Extracts

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are potent carcinogenic compounds induced by the Maillard reaction in well-done cooked meats. Free amino acids, protein, creatinine, reducing sugars and nucleosides are major precursors involved in the production of polar and non-polar HAAs. The variety and yield of HAAs are linked with various factors such as meat type, heating time and temperature, cooking method and equipment, fresh meat storage time, raw material and additives, precursor’s presence, water activity, and pH level. For the isolation and identification of HAAs, advanced chromatography and spectroscopy techniques have been employed. These potent mutagens are the etiology of several types of human cancers at the ng/g level and are 100- to 2000-fold stronger than that of aflatoxins and benzopyrene, respectively. This review summarizes previous studies on the formation and types of potent mutagenic and/or carcinogenic HAAs in cooked meats. Furthermore, occurrence, risk assessment, and factors affecting HAA formation are discussed in detail. Additionally, sample extraction procedure and quantification techniques to determine these compounds are analyzed and described. Finally, an overview is presented on the promising strategy to mitigate the risk of HAAs by natural compounds and the effect of plant extracts containing antioxidants to reduce or inhibit the formation of these carcinogenic substances in cooked meats.

Inhibitory effect of selected hydrocolloids on 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) formation in chemical models and beef patties

2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) is a mutagen and a rodent carcinogen mainly formed in thermally processed muscle foods. Hydrocolloids are widely used as thickeners, gelling agents and stabilizers to improve food quality in the food industry. In this study, the inhibitory effects of eight hydrocolloids on the formation of PhIP were investigated in both chemical models and beef patties. 1% (w/w) of carboxymethylcellulose V, κ-carrageenan, alginic acid, and pectin significantly reduced PhIP formation by 53 %, 54 %, 48 %, and 47 %, respectively in chemical models. In fried beef patties, κ-carrageenan appeared to be most capable of inhibiting PhIP formation among the eight tested hydrocolloids. 1% (w/w) of κ-carrageenan caused a decreased formation of PhIP by 90 %. 1% (w/w) of κ-carrageenan also significantly reduced the formation of other heterocyclic aromatic amines including MeIQx and 4,8-DiMeIQx by 64 % and 48 %, respectively in fried beef patties. Further mechanism study showed that κ-carrageenan addition decreased the PhIP precursor creatinine residue and reduced the content of Maillard reaction intermediates including phenylacetaldehyde and aldol condensation product in the chemical model. κ-Carrageenan may inhibit PhIP formation via trapping both creatinine and phenylacetaldehyde. The structures of adducts formed between κ-carrageenan and creatinine and κ-carrageenan and phenylacetaldehyde merits further study.

Inhibitory effect of cellulose fibers on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines in grilled beef patties

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) or carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) can be used as fat replacers; both are nondigestible fibers. As water-holding compounds, the impact of added CMC or MCC was studied concerning the formation of heterocyclic amines (HAAs). Low-fat patties with 0.5-3% MCC/CMC were prepared using 90% of beef and 10% of an aqueous fiber dispersion and were determined for HAA-levels after grilling. The HAAs in patties containing CMC(MCC) were found in the following concentrations; MeIQx (2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline) 0.6-2.7 (0.9-3.3)ng/g, 4,8-DiMeIQx (2-Amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline) n.d.-1.5 (n.d.-2.2)ng/g and PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine) 0.03-0.3 (0.06-0.2)ng/g. The patties clearly contained lower HAA-levels with increasing addition of CMC or MCC. A continuous increase of the concentrations of comutagenic harman was observed (CMC: 1.2-13.2; MCC: 5.2-11.4ng/g) for increasing levels of fibers and a slight decrease of the content of norharman for MCC (0.5-1.6ng/g). No clear tendency was found for norharman using CMC (0.3-1.1ng/g).

Inhibitory Effect of Rosa rugosa Tea Extract on the Formation of Heterocyclic Amines in Meat Patties at Different Temperatures

In previous studies, heterocyclic amines (HCAs) have been identified as carcinogenic and a risk factor for human cancer. Therefore, the present study was designed to identify bioactive natural products capable of controlling the formation of HCAs during cooking. For this purpose we have evaluated the effect of Rosa rugosa tea extract (RTE) on the formation of HCAs in ground beef patties fried at 160 °C or 220 °C. RTE is rich in phenolic compounds and capable of inhibiting the formation of free radicals. The pyrido[3,4-b]indole (norharman) and 1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (harman) contents were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in RTE-treated patties at 220 °C. 9H-3-Amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole acetate (Trp-P-2) and 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido-[4,3-b]indole acetate (Trp-P-1) were not detected at 160 °C and were statistically (p < 0.01) reduced at 220 °C compared to the control. RTE remarkably inhibited the formation of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) at 220 °C (p < 0.001) and at 160 °C (p < 0.05). 2-Amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC) and 2-amino-3-methyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]-indole (MeAαC) were only detected in the control group at 160 °C but were comparatively (p > 0.05) similar in the control and treated groups at 220 °C. 2-Amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), and 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx) were not detected in any sample. Total HCAs were positively correlated with cooking loss. In the RTE-treated groups, 75% of the total HCAs were decreased at 160 °C and 46% at 220 °C, suggesting that RTE is effective at both temperatures and can be used during cooking at high temperatures to lessen the amount of HCAs formed.

Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines in Cooked Meat Products: Causes, Formation, Occurrence, and Risk Assessment

Meat products are sources of protein with high biological value and an essential source of other nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Heating processes cause food to become more appetizing with changes in texture, appearance, flavor, and chemical properties by the altering of protein structure and other ingredients. During heat treatment, heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), potent mutagens/carcinogens, are formed due to the Maillard reaction. The HAAs are classified in at least 2 groups: thermic HAAs (100 to 300 °C) and pyrolytic HAAs (>300 °C). This review focuses on the parameters and precursors which affect the formation of HAAs: preparation, such as the marinating of meat, and cooking methods, including temperature, duration, and heat transfer, as well as levels of precursors. Additionally, factors are described subject to pH, and the type of meat and ingredients, such as added antioxidants, types of carbohydrates and amino acids, ions, fat, and other substances inhibiting or enhancing the formation of HAAs. An overview of the different analytical methods available is shown to determine the HAAs, including their preparation to clean up the sample prior to extraction. Epidemiological results and human daily intake of HAAs obtained from questionnaires show a relationship between the preference for very well-done meat products with increased HAA levels and an enhanced risk of the incidence of cancer, besides other carcinogens in the diet. The metabolic pathway of HAAs is governed by the activity of several enzymes leading to the formation of DNA adducts or HAA excretion and genetic sensitivity of individuals to the impact of HAAs on human cancer risk.

Heterocyclic amines: Chemistry and health

Heterocyclic amines (HAs) occur at the ppb range in foods. Most of them demonstrate potent mutagenicity in bacteria mutagenicity test, and some of them have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as probable/possible human carcinogens. Their capability of formation even during ordinary cooking practices implies frequent exposure by the general public. Over the past 30 years, numerous studies have been stimulated aiming to alleviate human health risk associated with HAs. These studies contribute to the understanding of their formation, characterization, and quantification in foods; their mutagenesis/carcinogenesis, mechanisms of antimutagenesis by chemical or phytogenic modulators; and strategies to inhibit their formation. The chemistry of HAs, their implications in human health, factors influencing their formation, and feasible ways of suppression will be briefly reviewed. Their occurrence in trace amounts in foods necessitates continuous development and amelioration of analytical techniques. Various inhibitory strategies, ranging from modifying cooking conditions to incorporation of different modulators, have been developed. This will remain one of the foremost areas of research in the field of food chemistry and safety.