Contents Of Biogenic Amines In Canned Pet Food And In Beef-Based Barf-Food

We studied the contents of biogenic amines in 72 samples of beef for raw-feeding of dogs (BARF, minced meat stuffed in sausage cases and sold deep-frozen) and in 45 samples of canned food (containing beef) for dogs. In 7/72 BARF samples, but in none of the canned food samples, the sum of cadaverine, histamine, putrescine and tyramine exceeded 300 mg/kg fresh matter, which is indicative for spoilage.For comparison of BARF samples and canned pet food, amine contents were calculated for dry matter. Contents of cadaverine, putrescine and tyramine were significantly higher in BARF samples than in canned food (31.5 vs. 24.2 mg/kg; 74.1 vs. <5 mg/kg and 86.5 vs. 27.6 mg/kg; all dry matter). In canned food, significantly higher median contents of histamine (148.5 vs. 64.5 mg/kg dry matter) and of spermine (111.2 vs. 68.6 mg/kg dry matter) were detected compared to BARF samples.The number of bacteria in the samples was assessed by direct Epifluorescence-Filter-Technique and amounted to 6.16 +/- 0.40 log 10/g in canned samples, which was significantly lower than that in BARF samples (7.35 +/- 1.06 log 10/g).When comparing results, it must be taken into account that canned feed samples contained variable amounts of slaughter-by-products and components of non-animal origin, which can account for differences in amine patterns and in the number of bacteria. Results indicate that there is potential for hygiene improvements with regard to selection of raw materials, and to the management of storage time and -temperature, more specifically for BARF feed.