The physiological and biochemical character- istics of the isolates are shown in Table 4. Isolate GA utilized carbon and nitrogen sources other than aspartate. Isolate GA liqui- fied gelatin and coagulated milk but did not hydrolyze starch or fat. Isolate GA produced hydrogen sulfide, melanin, and urease, and its methyl red and V-P reactions were negative. Isolate GA could not utilize citrate. Isolate PF-2 liquified gelatin and coagulated milk but did not hydrolyze either starch or fat. Isolate PF-2 did not produce hydrogen sulfide or melanin but produced urease and indole. Its V-P reaction was positive, and its methyl red reaction was negative. Isolate PF-2 could uti- lize citrate. Isolates GA and PF-2 were not sensitive to ampicillin. Strain GA had broad temperature (25–50° C) and pH (5–10) ranges in Gao-1 broth medium, and its optimal