Exploring the roles of excess amino acids, creatine, creatinine, and glucose in the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines by UPLC-MS/MS

The prevention and control of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA) formation to mitigate of potential risks to humans, can be achieved by targeting their precursors. In this study, the detailed roles of individual and excess component (20 common α-amino acids, creatine, creatinine, and glucose) on HAA formation in roasted beef patties were examined using UPLC-MS/MS. The results confirmed the reported classical precursors of HAAs. Some components regulated the competitive production of Norharman and Harman. Glycine (Gly) and glucose favored Norharman formation, while cysteine (Cys) and phenylalanine (Phe) for Harman. Serine (Ser) and threonine (Thr) were identified as potential precursors for IQx-type HAAs. Interestingly, methionine (Met), Gly, Thr, Cys, alanine (Ala), and Ser were revealed as more targeted underlying precursors for 1,6-DMIP and 1,5,6-TMIP, and the formation mechanism was inferred. Furthermore, Pro, Leu, His, Ile, Lys and Asp were considered as great inhibitors for HAAs.