Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of mycobacterial mycolic acid methyl esters and its application to the identification of Mycobacterium leprae.

Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of methyl mycolates from 32 species of mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium leprae, was carried out. The mycobacteria could be classified into four groups in respect of the fatty acid ester patterns detected within the range C20 to C26. The applicability of this pyrolysis-gas chromatographic method for identifying M. leprae is discussed.