Cultured actinomycetes were screened for hydrolytic exoenzymatic
activities (amylase, protease and lipase). These tests were
conducted on Yeast Extract Malt Extract Agar (ISP 2) medium
containing starch for amylolytic activity, skimmed milk for proteolytic
activity and Tween 80 for lipolytic activity at 1% concentration.
Amylolytic activity was detected by flooding the plates with 1% iodine
solution. Presence of amylase was visualized by decolorized halo
around the culture due to starch digestion. Proteolytic activity was
observed by clearing of the milk and lipolytic activities were observed
by the formation of a halo of precipitated fatty acids around the
colony.