As a consequence of the protracted ageing period, pork meat generates free amino acids (FAAs) and peptides released from muscle proteins. The content of FAAs is affected by muscle salt content,endogenous and exogenous proteolytic enzyme activity,manufacturing length and procedures. During ageing, together with free fatty acids coming from the lipolytic pathway and involved in the generation of volatile lipid oxidation products, FAAs are an important source of aroma development, being involved in Maillard condensation and Strecker degradation. In this respect,FAA pattern is a peculiar property of each dry-cured ham,because it plays a key role both in its nutritional and sensory quality.An effort has been made during the last decade to decrease the salt content of dry-cured ham to meet the nutritional request of a low salt intake,but the attempt of lowering sodium content of dry-cured meat products yielded dried hams more proteolysed and rich in FAAs,with a possible impairment of ham texture and taste. The amount of FAAs was also evaluated in dry-cured
hams with reference to the generation of biogenic amines (BAs).