[Taxonomic value of mycobacterial fatty acids: proposal for a method of analysis].

  • 1 September 1983
    • journal article
    • abstracts
    • No. 2,p. 241-56
Abstract
A simple and quantitative method for the alkaline hydrolysis of fatty acid derivatives occurring in the lipids of mycobacteria is described. After methylation, the lipidic mixtures were chromatographed on a thin layer of silicagel. The contents in mycolates and secondary alcohols allowed the distinction of 9 groups among the 27 species studied. Such an analysis is generally insufficient to identify a species, but its discriminating power differs from that of other commonly-used methods. Complementary tests chosen according to each particular situation are necessary, including vapour phase chromatography applied to the same lipidic mixture as that used for thin-layer chromatography. Coupling of the two chromatographic methods would allow the recognition of 22 groups among the 27 species of mycobacteria studied.

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