RAPID DETECTION OF SELECTED GRAM‐NEGATIVE BACTERIA BY AMINOPEPTIDASE PROFILES

Abstract
Selected gram‐negative bacteria were differentiated by comparing profiles of their intracellular aminopeptidase activities. Aeromonas liquefaciens plus 14 species and serotypes of Enterobacteriaceae were used in the study. Substrates for the bacterial enzymes were 19 L‐amino acid beta‐naphthylamides. The beta‐naphthylamines released by enzyme hydrolysis were determined for each amino acid by fluorometric analysis, and a profile for each culture was obtained in 4–6 hr. The technique appears to be useful for differentiation of bacteria and for demonstrating relatedness.