Morphological, physiological, biochemical and
cultural characteristics
The morphological characteristics were studied by using
cover slip method in which the culture was transferred to
the base of cover slips buried in SCA medium [35] and
incubated at 28 8C for six days. The morphology of spore
bearing hyphae with entire spore chain was then studied as
described in Bergey’s manual [16]. Carbohydrate utilisation
was determined by growth on carbon utilisation medium (ISP
9) [22] supplemented with 1% carbon source at 28 8C. Temperature
range for growth was determined on inorganic salt
starch agar medium (ISP 4) by growing at different temperatures
(for example, 158, 258, 378, 428 and 50 8C). Hydrolysis
of starch was evaluated by using the media of Gordon et al.
[9]. Reduction of nitrate and production of melanoid pigment
were determined by the method of ISP [26]. Liquefaction of
gelatin was evaluated by the method of Waksman [34]. All
cultural characteristics were recorded after six days of
incubation.