development and stability of the desired red
color of fermented sausages by means of
their nitrate reductase activity (Miralles et al.
1996 ). In addition, they contribute to the
development of other organoleptic properties
such as texture and fl avor (Hammes and
Hertel 1998 ). These functions are accomplished by specific enzymes involved in the
metabolism of proteins and lipids. Previous
studies have demonstrated that the aroma of
fermented meat products can be modulated
by the presence of different Staphylococcus
spp. (Berdagu é et al. 1993 ; Stahnke 1995 ;
Sondergaard and Stahnke 2002 ).