title: [Taxonomic value of mycobacterial fatty acids: proposal for a method of analysis].
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.
mesh_terms: D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003470:Culture Media; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D005227:Fatty Acids
vernacular_title: Intérêt taxonomique des acides gras des mycobactéries: proposition d'une méthode d'analyse.