For the detection of gelatinase activity, enterococci were inoculated
on BHI agar plates (Merck) containing 3% gelatin (BTL,
Poland), which were then incubated at 25 C for 48 h. The presence
of a turbid zone around the colonies indicated gelatinase activity.
Hemolysin activity was determined on Columbia agar (Merck,
Germany) containing 5% defibrinized sheep blood. After 48 h at
37 C incubation, the presence or absence of clearing zones around
the colonies was interpreted as b-hemolysis (positive hemolytic
activity) or g-hemolysis (negative hemolytic activity), respectively.
When observed, greenish zones around the colonies were interpreted
as a-hemolysis and regarded as negative for the assessment
of hemolytic activity (Barbosa et al. 2010).