Gram reaction, catalase, oxidase and lipase (Tween 80)
activities, temperature and pH ranges for growth, tolerance
to NaCl, antibiotic susceptibility (tested using commercial
discs; Oxoid) and general cell morphology and ultrastructure
were studied as previously described (Lai et al., 2009).
Gliding motility and production of flexirubin-type pigments
were investigated as recommended by Bernardet
et al. (2002). Degradation of agar, cellulose, starch, casein
and DNA were tested by following the methods described
by Cowan & Steel (1993). Other biochemical tests were
carried out using API 20NE and API ZYM strips
(bioMe´rieux) and GN2 MicroPlates (Biolog) according to
the manufacturers’ instructions, except that the NaCl
concentration used in all of the tests was 3.0% (w/v). For
comparison, G. mesophilus Mok-17T was tested in the same
ways, at the same time as the novel strain. The results are
given in the species description and Table 1. All of the
phenotypic assays (except evaluation of the temperature
range for growth) were carried out at 25 uC.