Rapid detection of mycobacterial contamination in batches of whole cells of purifiedMycobacterium lepraeby pyrolysis gas chromatography

Preparations of Mycobacterium leprae, purified from host animal tissues, were screened by pyrolysis high-resolution gas-chromatographic analysis (Py-GC) for the presence of (myco)bacterial contaminants, which produce wax-ester mycolates. Contamination levels as low as 5% of the total number of acid-fast bacilli could be detected, based on the presence or absence of the marker compounds: a series of isomeric alkenes. The on-line pyrolysis capillary GC method provides an easy procedure for rapid quality control of preparations of purified M. leprae.