Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis is a method used to identify microorganisms by analyzing the unique patterns of fatty acids in their cellular membranes. This technique involves converting fatty acids into their methyl esters for easier gas chromatography.
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FAME analysis helps distinguish between different species and strains of microorganisms based on their fatty acid profiles.
The process involves extracting lipids from microbial cells, derivatizing them to form methyl esters, and then analyzing these esters using gas chromatography.
FAME profiles are highly reproducible and provide a reliable means for microbial identification in clinical, environmental, and industrial microbiology.
Gas chromatography separates the methyl esters based on their chain length and degree of unsaturation, which are then detected and quantified.
FAME analysis can be automated for high-throughput screening, making it a valuable tool for large-scale microbial studies.
Review Questions
What is the purpose of converting fatty acids into their methyl esters in FAME analysis?
How does gas chromatography contribute to the identification of microorganisms in FAME analysis?
Why are FAME profiles considered reliable for distinguishing between different microbial species?
Related terms
Gas Chromatography: A technique used to separate and analyze compounds that can be vaporized without decomposition.
Lipid Extraction: The process of isolating lipids from biological samples using solvents.
Microbial Identification: Methods used to determine the specific type or strain of microorganism present in a sample.
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