Development of biogenic amines during the ripening of Italian dry sausages.

The effect of modification of different chemical and microbiological parameters and the production of biogenic amines (histamine, cadaverine, putrescine, and tyramine) was examined during ripening of various types of typical Italian dry sausages (salami). Water activity decreased from 0.97 to 0.87, and pH reached the lowest value between the 13th and the 20th day of the ripening period, and then increased. Putrescine (up to 122.7 mg/kg) and tyramine (up to 105.9 mg/kg) mean levels showed dominance in comparison with cadaverine (up to 26.1 mg/kg) and histamine (up to 6.2 mg/kg) mean values in all sausage types. The highest putrescine and tyramine concentrations were observed in salami with the largest diameters. This comparative study suggests a good correlation between microbial behavior and amine evolution, particularly tyramine and putrescine, in dry sausage production.