Gas-liquid chromatography as an analytical tool in microbiology.

The use of gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) in clinical and diagnostic bacteriology laboratories has increased significantly in recent years. GLC analysis of metabolic products from bacterial growth and chemical components of bacterial cells has provided useful information for rapid detection and identification of several bacterial groups or species. The use of short-chain acid products and cellular fatty acid composition for identifying and classifying Pseudomonas species and other medically important gram-negative non-fermentative bacteria is illustrated. Application of the flexible, fused, silica-glass, capillary column for increased resolution of bacterial fatty acids is also discussed.