Enzymatic characterization of Pseudomonas cepacia by API ZYM profile.

The enzymatic activities of 53 strains of Pseudomonas cepacia were determined by using the API ZYM system. Strong alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, butyrate esterase, caprylate esterase, myristate lipase, leucine arylamidase, and phosphoamidase activities were consistently detected in all strains. Weak activities were observed for valine arylamidase, beta-glucosidase, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase. No activities could be demonstrated for cystine arylamidase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, alpha-galactosidase, beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase, alpha-glucosidase, alpha-mannosidase, and alpha-fucosidase. Enzymatic activities of pseudomonads may provide useful information about their pathogenesis and information for identification of Pseudomonas species.