The cellular fatty acid patterns in 4 isolates of nocardioform actinomycetes were analyzed quantificationally by gas chromatography using the Sherolock standard MIDI (Microbial Identification) system. The results indicate that the method is relatively unique, simple, stable, and reproducible. To some extent, it yields results that are in agreement with 16S rRNA gene sequences study, and appears to reflect the genotypic, phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships of actinomycetes at the species-strain level. Therefore, it can be used as a rapid and efficient means of determining taxonomic diversity and phylogenetic structure of actinomycetes at the species level, especially of large collections of strains.
