Casein hydrolysis was assessed according to the method of La´nyı´ (1987). Hydrolysis of chitin and Tweens 20, 40, 60 and 80 was assessed according to Baumann & Baumann (1981). To detect flexirubin-type pigments, cell mass was subjected to the KOH test, as described by Bernardet et al. (2002). Antibiotic sensitivity was assessed after 3 days of incubation at 30 uC on MA by the disc diffusion method with commercial discs (BBL Becton Dickson) impregnated with the following antibiotics