HYDROLYSIS OF TRIBUTYRIN BY SPECIES OF NEISSERIA AND BRANHAMELLA

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. A132  (2) , 159-169
Abstract
A comparative study of 60 strains of Neisseriaceae was done using 4 substrates: tween 20, tween 80, tributyrin and naphthylmyristate. Production of butyric acid from tributyrin was measured by gas chromatography. Strains of the genus Branhamella produced large amounts of butyric acid, whereas strains of the genus Neisseria produced small amounts. Evidence of lipolytic activity can be used to separate Branhamella from Neisseria. A biochemical method is described using a buffered medium containing tributyrin and phenol red which can best separate lipolytic and non-lipolytic strains of Neisseriaceae. All B. catarrhalis and related species B. caviae, B. ovis and B. cuniculi gave positive results. All Neisseria strains gave negative results.