. Staphylocuccus and Kocuria also have a role because of their nitrate reductase and antioxidant activities (Talon et al. 1999,2002). These microorganisms reduce nitrate to nitrite, which is important for the formation of nitrosylmyoglobin, the compound responsible for the characteristic red color of fermented meats. The nitrate reductase activity is widespread in CNS; it has been detected in S. xylosus, S. carnosus, S.epidermidis, S. equorum, S. lentus, and S.simulans (Talon et al. 2004).