Rapid detection of mycobacterial contamination in batches of whole cells of purified Mycobacterium leprae by 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.