Direct Colony Thin-Layer Chromatography and Rapid Characterization of Serratia marcescens Mutants Defective in Production of Wetting Agents.

A bacterial mass (ca. 1 mg) was placed directly on a thin-layer chromatography plate and developed shortly in chloroform-methanol (2:1, vol/vol). After being dried, the bacterial mass was developed in chloroform-methanol-5 M ammonia (80:25:4, vol/vol). The obtained chromatogram indicated the characteristic lipid compositions of the bacteria. So, it became possible to examine bacterial colonies at once for the identification of mutants defective in the production of specific lipids.