The volatile fatty acid profiles were determined by a simple gas chromatographicmethod in 375 microbiologically positive and negative blood cultures. Aerobic bacteria yielded profileswith low content of acids, some of which were chromatographically negative. Anaerobic bacteria producedmore acids and more distinctive profiles. The method makes it possible to confirm the microbiologicalfindings and to select the blood cultures containing anaerobic bacteria within 30 minutes.

Keywords: Bacteria, Aerobic, Bacteria, Anaerobic, Bacterial Infections, Blood, Chromatography, Gas, Culture Media, Fatty Acids, Volatile, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov