“…HPLC, gas chromatography, FAB-MS, analysis of the sequence characteristic ions in the ESI-MS spectrum after collisioninduced dissociation, one-and two-dimensional NMR. Indeed and unfortunately, such laborious and timeconsuming studies have resulted in the elucidation of already known pyoverdine structures, as in the case of P. aeruginosa pyoverdines (Briskot et al, 1989 ;Demange et al, 1990;Eng-Wilmot et af., 1990;Gipp et al, 1991;Tappe et af., 1993), or for some other pyoverdines and related compounds synthesized by various strains of P. chlororaphis, P. fluorescens and P. putida species or by undetermined fluorescent pseudomonad isolates (Demange et al, 1986;Persmark et al, 1990;Andriollo et al, 1992;Linget et al, 1992a, b ;Hohlneicher et al, 1992Hohlneicher et al, ,1995Glennon et al, 1994). To avoid such a waste of time and energy, any method which could allow a rapid recognition and comparison of a given pyoverdine with already known compounds would be of great interest for deciding whether or not a chemical investigation is required.…”