Cellular fatty acid composition in gram-negative obligately anaerobic rods.

The cellular fatty acid composition of 27 strains of gram-negative obligately anaerobic rods was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Results showed that a variety of acids was detected in these organisms, and comparison of the relative amount of each of the acids was useful in distinguishing several species. A dendrogram based on their fatty acid composition was made, and this analysis appeared to be an aid in the grouping of the bacteria.