The invention discloses a natural color former based on
protamine hydrolysate and a color development method of the natural color former in a fermented meat product, and belongs to the technical field of
food processing. The
protamine zymolyte provided by the invention is rich in easily utilized substrates such as
arginine and
oligopeptide, and can significantly promote
biosynthesis of NO. Any one or more of
lactobacillus fermentum,
lactobacillus plantarum,
staphylococcus xylosus and the like with
nitric oxide synthase activity are utilized to catalyze
arginine to generate NO in the
fermentation process, the NO and
protamine zymolyte cooperate to promote color development, and the natural and safe color development effect can be achieved after
fermentation is finished. According to the method, the color and luster of the fermented meat product are remarkably improved, particularly, the fermented meat product still has a stable red color and luster under the
nitrite-free condition, the economic and environment-friendly values of the fermented meat product are improved by utilizing high value of fish byproducts, and the method is wide in applicable
product type and can be widely applied to the
nitrite-free fermented sausages; the invention discloses a low-
nitrate / reduced-
nitrate type fermented sausage. Or other micro-fermented meat products and the like.