The biogenic amine tryptamine, unlike β-phenylethylamine, shows in vitro cytotoxicity at concentrations that have been found in foods.
β-phenylethylamine and tryptamine are biogenic amines (BA) often found in foods. In general, BA are assumed to be toxic and their accumulation in food is not recommended. However, present knowledge regarding the toxicity of β-phenylethylamine and tryptamine is limited; more information is needed if qualitative and quantitative risk assessments of foods are to be successfully conducted. This study describes a real-time analysis of β-phenylethylamine and tryptamine toxicity on a human intestinal epithelial cell line. Both BA caused cell necrosis and apoptosis, although the former was the main mode of action of β-phenylethylamine, and the latter the main mode of action of tryptamine. Only tryptamine was cytotoxic at concentrations found in BA-rich foods. The results presented in this work may contribute to establish legal limits for β-phenylethylamine and tryptamine in food.
['Del Rio|Beatriz|B|', 'Redruello|Begoña|B|', 'Fernandez|Maria|M|', 'Martin|M Cruz|MC|', 'Ladero|Victor|V|', 'Alvarez|Miguel A|MA|']
D017209:Apoptosis D002460:Cell Line D003603:Cytotoxins D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug D005502:Food D006801:Humans D007413:Intestinal Mucosa D007881:Legislation, Food D010627:Phenethylamines D018570:Risk Assessment D014363:Tryptamines
Biogenic amines Tryptamine β-phenylethylamine Cytotoxicity Food safety IC(50) LOAEL NOAEL Tryptamine hydrochloride (PubChem CID: 67652) β-Phenylethylamine hydrochloride (PubChem CID: 9075)