Nucleic Acid Enzyme Studies of Nonfermentative Gram-Negative Bacteria Using Thin-Layer Chromatography

A rapid and easy to perform procedure for determining the nucleic acid enzyme reactions of intact bacterial cells was developed. Overnight organism growth on triple sugar agar was tested for nucleoside phosphotransferase, nucleosidase, and nucleotidase activity. Reaction products were detected by means of thin-layer chromatography and fluorescence. Characteristic patterns were seen with certain strains of nonfermentative gram-negative bacteria, which indicated that these tests could aid in classification and identification of E0-1 group, Pseudomonas multivorans, P. cepacia, P. maltophilia, certain other Pseudomonas species, and Herellea vaginicola.