TAXONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF CELL-WALL ACYL TYPE IN CORYNEBACTERIUM-MYCOBACTERIUM-NOCARDIA GROUP BY A GLYCOLATE TEST

Abstract

Glycolate test was carried out on 86 cultures including 51 coryneform bacteria, 13 nocardiae, 4 mycobacteria, 4 gordonae, and related organisms. Among coryneform bacteria, it was found that about two-thirds of the strains was acetyl type concerning the acyl type on the cell wall, and about one-third was glycolyl type. The latter strains were distributed in the limited taxa, that is, three species in high-GC taxon of genus Corynebacterium, one in genus Curtobacterium, and several strains in a complicated taxon being not classified. However, all strains of genus and most of genus Nocardia except two doubtful strains were proved to have the cell wall of glycolyl type. Among Mycobacterium rhodochrous complex, Gordona group appeared exceptionally to have quite a unique acyl type, namely, a glycolyl type of glycerol-suppression positive. The bacteria of genera Actinomadura, Oerskovia, and Streptomyces were shown to be the acetyl type. The classification of Corynebacterium-Mycobacterium-Nocardia group was discussed on the basis of these results and additional data.