A qualitative and quantitative study of the fatty acid composition of selected micro-organisms

Publication Date

1975

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Lynch, Darrel L.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Biological Sciences

LCSH

Fatty acids; Enterobacteriaceae

Abstract

Fatty acid content would appear to be an important parameter in the identification and numerical taxonomy of many microorganisms, especially when used with other qualifying biochemical and physical characteristics. A wide range of microorganisms were chosen for analyses. These included isolates of the same species and genus as well as members of many well defined groups -- such as the Enterobacteriaceae. Rather extraneous or unrelated microorganisms were included as future reference data. Extraction of fatty acids for subsequent methylation and analysis by gas chromatography was undertaken utilizing three extraction procedures. Data for each method are included. It was found that a direct methylation procedure of the bacteria was accurate, efficient and rapid. Fatty acids were found to be reliable indicators of microorganisms in group, generic, specific and strain identification. Other biochemical tests were especially valuable when used in conjunction with fatty acid profiles in identification and classification of the bacteria studied.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [44]-46)

Extent

46 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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