Mycolic acids and nocardomycolate analysis by overpressured thin layer chromatography

Fifty eight strains of Mycobacterium and Nocardia were used to assess a new method: over pressured thin layer chromatography (OPLC) compared with thin layer chromatography (TLC). Both methods give similar results in the separation of the 6 types of mycolic acids already described, but OPLC can give a differentiation of mycolates I and II, II and III or III and IV which are difficult to separate with TLC, within a fairly short time period and with good reproducibility. No significant difference could be proved between the mycolates of the various Nocardia species tested.