Decarboxylases that form biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine,putrescine and cadaverine) by decarboxylation of their precursor amino acids (L-lysine, L-histidine, L-ornithine and L-tyrosine)were also characterized in the 30 pre-selected strains (Table 1). Sixteen strains were positive for this test. However in cereal-based fermented foods,production of biogenic amine is of minor importance compared to other foods with higher protein content.