Project-ID: LS16-023
Project start: 01. October 2017
Runtime: 36 months / ongoing
Funding amount: € 279.000,00

Brief summary

The consumption of food containing biogenic amines is reported to be responsible for many pharmacological effects (diarrhea, headache, rhinoconjunctival symptoms, asthma, hypotension, arrhythmia, urticaria, pruritus, flushing) which lead to several types of foodborne disease, including histamine poisoning, mainly from ingestion of certain species of fish (scombroid poisoning), and tyramine toxicity (cheese reaction). Amines have also been implicated as the cause of toxicity to chicks and were also studied as carcinogenic precursors. Nevertheless, the occurrence of symptoms that result from such interactions remains hypothetical, because there are no acceptable clinical studies that demonstrate such reactions. One reason is the lack of reliable test methods.
In BIOAMINA we, the Austrian Institute of Technology, Health and Environment Department and the Danube University Krems, Center of Integrated Sensor Systems will contribute to this issue developing a multiplex diagnostic tool that is capable of reliably and simultaneously measuring histamine, tyramine, putrescine and other biogenic amines in test food, serum and urine.
The project is divided into 5 subtasks (STs):
ST1: Project management including dissemination and reporting
ST2: Isolation of enzymes and characterization with regard to enzyme activity and degradation capacity
ST3: Development of a colorimetric multiplex assay for the detection of biogenic amines
ST4: Electrochemical detection of biogenic amines based on screen printed electrodes
ST5: Food challenge study of biogenic amines combined with technical validation of the multiplex test
For validation of the colorimetric enzyme-based assays and detection systems in clinically relevant samples an oral open food challenge study with healthy volunteers shall be conducted at the Karl Landsteiner Institute St. Pölten (Prof. Trautinger). Different concentrations of biogenic amines in a test food will be administered to different groups of 10 volunteers each. Single biogenic amines and combinations thereof will be given to study possible interfering effects between the different biogenic amines and possible effects on heart rate and blood pressure and symptoms such as head- and stomachache will be recorded during and after exposure.
A such validated colorimetric detection system is likely to be included in further investigations and clinical studies to support food experts, risk managers and medical doctors in their debate on the potential role of biogenic amines in food intolerance.

Keywords:
(Bio)chemistry, Physics, Optics, Medicine