A simple, rapid method for gizzerosine analysis in fish meal by paper electrophoresis

We established a simple, rapid method for gizzerosine analysis in fish meal. Gizzerosine was extracted from fish meal with 0.1 N HCl solution. Samples and standard gizzerosine solutions were absorbed onto a paper disc, which was then set on electrophoresis paper for 18 min, and the paper was dried. Gizzerosine was visualized with Pauly’s reagent, and the intensity of the colored spots was digitized and calculated by image processing method software. We achieved successful separation of gizzerosine from other Pauly’s reagent-positive components in fish meal extracts. The linearity of gizzerosine estimation using this method was within the range 30–1000 ng (R 2 = 0.99). Gizzerosine was satisfactorily detected and completely separated from histamine and other Pauly’s reagent-positive compounds. This method does not require expensive instruments or tedious pretreatment to eliminate interfering compounds, such as histamine or histidine. It also uses less reagent compared with high-performance liquid chromatography. Moreover, it is a simple, rapid, sensitive, and reproducible method. It is suitable for monitoring gizzerosine in fish meal products that contain as little as 10 ppm gizzerosine.