Studying the effect of Allium sativum and Bunium persicum essential oils on histamine production in Mahyaveh, an Iranian seasoned fish sauce

Mahyaveh is a traditional seasoned fish sauce in Iran that its histamine level is above the hazardous limit defined by food safety systems. This study aimed to add Allium sativum (A. sativum) and Bunium persicum (B. persicum) essential oils (EOs) at four concentrations including 0 (control), 0.1, 1, and 2%, as effective antimicrobial agents to monitor changes in the level of histamine at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. Histamine ELISA Kit was used for histamine determination and mean values of histamine were compared using SPSS. The level of histamine in 0.1% B. persicum, 0.1% A. sativum, and control at day 30 was 8,403.05, 10,596.15, and 16,339.00 mg/kg, respectively. The results show that the level of histamine in all treatments containing A. sativum and B. persicum EOs at all concentration as well as all days was lower than the control group. Additionally, significantly lower level of histamine was observed in all B. persicum treatment group in compare to A. sativum treatment. While sensory evaluation was considered, no significant differences between the control and treatments in overall acceptance scores were seen. This study suggested that A. sativum and B. persicum EOs at 0.1% concentration could be useful strategy to reduce histamine level in the Mahyaveh.