The invention discloses arginine decarboxylase and application thereof and belongs to the technical field of biological engineering. Shewanella putrefaciens is cloned by adopting genome database mining and homologous sequence alignment and other virtual screening means and combining with a molecular biological means to obtain an arginine decarboxylase gene. The molecular biological means, process optimization and the like are adopted, the enzyme production capacity of arginine decarboxylase production strains is improved, and a platform for efficiently producing gamatine through biological catalysis is established by optimizing a catalytic system. Crude enzyme liquid obtained through fermentation is purified and then is converted, a reaction system is clear in composition, and extraction and purification of follow-up products are promoted. Under the condition of 37 DEG C, the decarboxylase has high activity, meanwhile is beneficial to the growth of escherichia coli of host cells, and at the temperature, the reaction speed is improved greatly, a conversion period should be 24 hours, the gamatine yield can be up to 61-71 g / L, and the conversion rate can be up to 68-82%.