Ultra-performance convergence chromatography (UPC2) method for the analysis of biogenic amines in fermented foods

• UPC2 method for determining biogenic amines in food was developed.
• Different chromatographic parameters were optimised.
• Biogenic amines in traditional Chinese fermented food samples were quantified.

A rapid ultra-performance convergence chromatography (UPC2) method for the determination of eight biogenic amines (spermine, spermidine, putrescine, cadaverine, tryptamine, phenylethylamine, histamine and tyramine) in fermented foods was developed. The amines were pre-column derivatized with dansyl chloride and separated on UPC2 system with a HSS C18 SB column (3.0 × 100 mm, 1.8 μm) using gradient elution with a binary system of CO2 and n-hexane:isopropanol:ammonium hydroxide (70:30:0.15, v/v/v), back pressure of 2000 psi, flow rate of 2.0 ml/min and DAD detection at 254 nm. The result showed excellent linearity (r = 0.9995–1.0000). Limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) were 21–67 ng/L and 72–224 ng/L, respectively. Relative standard deviations (RSD) for repeatability and reproducibility were 0.21–0.87% and 1.98–4.02%, respectively. Furthermore, this method was successfully applied to analysis of biogenic amines in Yulu and Sufu samples.