Chemical Methods in Prokaryotic Systematics

The use of chemical techniques is having a profound effect on approaches to the characterization, classification and identification of prokaryotes, i. e. archaea and bacteria. This book provides a comprehensive, up-to-date treatment of such methods used in prokaryotic systematics and is written by leading specialists in this field. Designed as a laboratory manual, this volume describes the latest applications to prokaryote systematics of powerful techniques such as protein electrophoresis, pyrolysis mass spectrometry and rapid enzyme testing. The extraction, purification and characterization of specific components such as fatty acids, lipid A, peptidoglycan, pigments (carotenoids and bacteriochlorophylls) and isoprenoid quinones are explained. The value of these methods in the circumscription and identification of archaea and bacteria is demonstrated. The book is aimed at microbiologists and microbial technologists interested in characterizing and identifying bacteria.