The strain was tested for hemolytic activity using blood agar (7% v/v sheep blood) for 48 h incubation at 37 C (Foulquié Moreno et al., 2003). Strains that produced green-hued zones around the colonies (a-hemolysis) or did not produce any effect on the blood plates (g-hemolysis) were considered non hemolytic. Strains displaying blood lyses zones around the colonies were classified as hemolytic