This sequence is highly conserved and significant changes usually correspond to an evolutionary change in species. Species have characteristic profiles of type and concentration of fatty acids. Gas Chromatography separates components based on molecular size and concentration. Cells were lysed and the fatty acids saponified with a strong base, methylated in the presence of a strong acid, extracted, purified and washed. Carbon Utilization Profiles Species are able to metabolize a characteristic set of carbon sources.
Related organisms have similar carbon utilization profiles.
Isolated pure cultures were Gram stained with the BBL kit. Ninety-five wells contain a set different carbon compunds, and one is a blank control. Each well contains an indicator sensitive to the electric potential. Oxidation of the carbon source turns the indicator purple. Motility, testing for observable migration in a slurry agar test tube.