Development and validation of an HPLC-FLD method for rapid determination of histamine in skipjack tuna fish (Katsuwonus pelamis)

► This study compared and validated two HPLC methods. ► Recoveries greater than 55% could not be observed by HPLC-UV. ► Derivatization with pre-column o-phthalaldehyde was found efficient. ► Good recoveries were obtained at all spiking levels by HPLC-FLD. This study compared and validated two methods of high-performance liquid chromatography: fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) and UV–Vis detection. Recoveries greater than 55% at all spiking levels using UV–Vis detection could not be obtained. However, derivatization with pre-column o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) was found to efficiently enhance the method sensitivity. The analytical method was validated based on the following criteria: linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, repeatability, and recovery. For fluorescence detection, excellent linear correlation with R2=0.9977 was observed over the range of 5.0 to 100.0mg/L. The minimum detection limit was calculated to be 1.5mg/kg, while the limit of quantification (LOQ) value of the validated method was determined to be 4.5mg/kg. Good recoveries (RSD%=1.35) were obtained at all spiking levels ranging between 0 and 200mg/kg. The proposed method was found to be suitable, selective, and rapid for the determination of histamine.