Detection of arginine dihydrolase in nonfermentative gram-negative bacteria by use of thin-layer chromatography.

Thin-layer chromatography was used to detect the presence of the arginine dihydrolase system in nonfermentative gram-negative bacteria. The test was positive for the fluorescent pseudomonads as well as Pseudomonas maltophilia, whereas other Pseudomonas sp., Mima, and Herellea were negative. This procedure can be completed in a few hours and may be useful in the clinical laboratory.