[Micromethods and gas chromatography analysis of carboxylic acids produced from the fermentation of glucose in the identification of Corynebacteria].

The identification of fermentative Corynebacteria currently isolated from human specimens is not very easy, even with the use of the useful guide edited by Hollis and Weaver. The purpose of this investigation is to present a classification based on the study of a large number of biochemical characters, including the use of micromethods, and the characterization of carboxylic acids produced from dextrose fermentation by gas-liquid chromatography. The results show that it is possible to classify fermenting Corynebacteria into two groups based on the production of propionic acid or the lack of it. We are thus able to separate distinctly Corynebacteria whose biochemical characters are very similar. Likewise, some tests included in the micromethods are useful for separating the species.