A clear halo around a colony in an otherwise opaque medium indicated degradation of the pectin (Buzzini and Martini, 2002); d) protease activity on 10% skim milk powder (Oxoid) and 2% agar (Gardini et al., 2006). Medium was autoclaved at 110 ºC for 5 min and then poured into Petri dishes. Inoculated plates were incubated at 25 _C and examined daily for 1 week. Enzymatic activity was detected when a light halo surrounded the inoculum zone.