[Hydrolysis of tributyrin by species of "Neisseria" and "Branhamella" (author's transl)].

A comparative study of 60 strains of Neisseriaceae was done using 4 different substrates: tween 20, tween 80, tributyrin and naphthylmyristate. Production of butyric acid from tributyrin was measured by gas chromatography. Strains of the genus Branhamella produced large amounts of butyric acid, whereas strains of the genus Neisseria produced little amounts. Evidence of lipolytic activity can be used to separate Branhamella from Neisseria. A biochemical method is described using a buffered medium containing tributyrin and phenol red which can best separate lipolytic and non-lipolytic strains of Neisseriaceae. All B. catarrhalis gave positive results as well as related species B. caviae, B. ovis and B. cuniculi. All Neisseria strains gave negative results.