[Lipid analysis in bacterial taxonomy: proposal for a standardized method]

To increase the application of lipid analysis for taxonomic purposes, a standardized method would be useful. This method has to be simple enough to be used routinely. Such a method, based on thin-layer and gas chromatography, is proposed. It can be applied to any kind of bacteria when a few milligrams of cells are available. Comparison of the results provided by this analysis with data found in the literature (given in a schematic form in six tables) allows the identification of the studied strain in the most favorable cases, or gives information for the choice of conclusive complementary tests in the other cases.