A simple method for differentiation of Propionibacterium acnes and Propionibacterium propionicum

TLC glycolipid profiles of several culture collection and clinical strains of Propionibacterium acnes and Propionibacterium propionicum were examined. The former were characterized by weak orcinol-positive minor glycolipids of type g, while the others had mainly strong orcinol-positive major glycolipids of type G. The simple and rapid small scale procedure seemed to be useful for differentiation of these phenotypically similar and genotypically closely related species irrespective of their serotypes.