Rapid Determination of Several Biogenic Amines in Cold-Chain Fish Samples by Portable Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry with Nano-Electrospray Ionization

A novel method was developed for the rapid determination of five biogenic amines (BAs)—histamine (HIS), tyramine (TYR), cadaverine (CAD), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM) in cold-chain fish by portable ion trap mass spectrometry with nano-electrospray(nESI) ionization. Samples were homogenized and extracted with aqueous solution containing 1% (v/v) formic acid and 80% (v/v) acetonitrile. With HIS-d4 as an internal standard, the sample solutions were directly injected with the nESI injection device and detected by a portable ion trap mass spectrometer at MS/MS detection mode. The results showed good linearity in the invested range of 0.2 (or 0.5)–10 μg mL−1 with R2 > 0.992, The limit of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) for HIS were less than 1.5 mg/kg and 4.0 mg/kg, respectively; the LOD and LOQ for other four BAs were less than 4.0 mg/kg and 12.5 mg/kg, respectively. Recoveries at three fortified levels ranged from 84.26% to 106.6% with relative standard deviations between 4.56% and 13.84%. With the safety limits of HIS as the concentrations of concern, this method demonstrated excellent performance when applied to the eligibility fast screening of HIS in cold-chain fish. The study provided a valuable methodological reference for the rapid detection of BAs in food.