title: Pyrolysis mass spectrometry: data processing in classification studies.
abstract: A scheme for numerical processing of pyrolysis mass spectrometry (Py-MS) data is detailed, along with methods for combining the results of conventional phenotypic and Py-MS taxonomic surveys. The importance of this combined approach in polyphasic taxonomy is emphasised; it yields data on cell composition and the nutritional and physiological interactions of strains with their environment. Large collections of strains can be surveyed rapidly and economically, yielding presumptive classifications, which may then be confirmed with a few representative strains in more demanding, difficult and expensive approaches. An objective, non-arbitrary method of establishing suitable cut-off points to delineate group structures in dendrograms is also described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital of Wales, UK.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Magee
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D013058:Mass Spectrometry