Inhibition of Morganella morganii Histidine Decarboxylase Activity and Histamine Accumulation in Mackerel Muscle Derived from Filipendula ulumaria Extracts

ABSTRACT Filipendula ulmaria, also known as meadowsweet, is an herb; its extract was examined for the prevention of histamine production, primarily that caused by contaminated fish. The efficacy of meadowsweet was assessed using two parameters: inhibition of Morganella morganii histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and inhibition of histamine accumulation in mackerel. Ellagitannins from F. ulmaria (rugosin D, rugosin A methyl ester, tellimagrandin II, and rugosin A) were previously shown to be potent inhibitors of human HDC; and in the present work, these compounds inhibited M. morganii HDC, with half maximal inhibitory concentration values of 1.5, 4.4, 6.1, and 6.8 μM, respectively. Application of the extracts (at 2 wt%) to mackerel meat yielded significantly decreased histamine accumulation compared with treatment with phosphate-buffered saline as a control. Hence, F. ulmaria exhibits inhibitory activity against bacterial HDC and might be effective for preventing food poisoning caused by histamine.

Production of biogenic amines by Enterococci

Enterococci were presented in all tested samples of raw cow milk (six samples) at the level 10³–10⁵ CFU/ml, fresh cheeses (five samples) at the level 10²–10⁶ CFU/g and semi-hard cheeses (five samples) at the level 10³–10⁵ CFU/g. All 33 isolated Enterococcus strains were screened for decarboxylase activity by usage differential growth medium and 20 of them possessed tyrosine decarboxylase activity. A collection of eight strains with the strongest decarboxylase activity were identified by species specific PCR as E. faecium (Z3, Z4, Br4 and 6/4D strains) and E. faecalis (Ž4, 3/3C and 4/1A strains). Enterococcus spp. Z1 strain was not identified at the species level by used methods, but the genus was confirmed by PCR method. Their tyrosin decarboxylase activity was confirmed by TLC and detection of tdc gene. Z1, Z3 and Z4 strains showed also histidine decarboxylase activity on the differential growth medium with histidine, but this activity was evaluated by TLC as a false positive reaction of medium.