1972 Volume 18 Issue 6 Pages 399-416
Morphological, cultural, biochemical, and physiological characteristics of 112 strains of coryneform bacteria were examined. Coryneform bacteria were taxonomically divided into seven groups on the basis of the combination of the characteristics of gram-stain, motility, presence of metachromatic granules, pleomorphism, effect of citrate on cell form, acid formation from carbohydrates, assimilation of organic acids, hydrolysis of gelatin, extracellular DNase, urease, and cell wall composition.