Biogenic Amine Formation and "Zapatera" Spoilage of Fermented Green Olives: Effect of Storage Temperature and Debittering Process

Abstract

The effects of temperature and the debittering process on amine formation and other chemical changes related to "zapatera" spoilage of fermented green table olives during storage, without any chemical correction, were studied. Unwashed olive brines were more concentrated in all analyzed compounds, except NaCl. No changes in formic, acetic, and succinic acids or in ethanol, hydroxytyrosol, or tyrosol were observed in the olive brines during storage. The concentration of putrescine in the brine at the beginning of storage and end of fermentation was about 38 mg/liter, and it did not change during storage. This amine only seems to be produced during the active fermentation phase. The effects of temperature and the type of debittering process and time and its interactions (except the time X temperature X debittering process on pH) had significant effects on the production of cadaverine and tyramine, as well as on changes of pH and lactic and propionic acids. Storage at 15°C produced a complete stabilization of the fermented olives. However, storage of washed olives at 20 and 28°C produced a gradual decrease of lactic acid content, an increase in pH, production of propionic acid, and formation of cadaverine and tyramine, the effect becoming greater as the temperature rose. It appears that formation of cadaverine and tyramine only occurs during storage and might be related to zapatera spoilage. Changes were always significantly lower in unwashed olives, which leads to a practical stabilization of the product.