Grouping of Pseudomonas species on the basis of cellular fatty acid composition and the quinone system with special reference to the existence of 3-hydroxy fatty acids.

Abstract

The cellular fatty acids and the quinone systems were investigated in 46 strains of Pseudomonas species including 14 phytopathogenic Pseudomonas strains, In a total of 75 strains, including 46 strains in this study and 29 strains reported in previous papers, Pseudomonas species showed heterogeneity in fatty acid composition and in the ubiquinone system. They were divided into nine groups according to these characteristics, with special reference to the existence of 3-hydroxy fatty acids. The significance of 3-hydroxy fatty acid composition in the classification of Pseudomonas species is discussed.