Department of Chemistry and Texas Research Institute for Environmental Studies
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas 77341-2117

Pseudomonas fluorescens is a facultative anaerobe that has possible uses for bioremediation of selenium salts due to its ability to reduce that element and subsequently produce volatile organoselenium compounds. For this study, cultures of Pseudomonas fluorescens strain K27 were grown under anaerobic conditions in a 3.0 L fermentor. Dissolved oxygen and pH changes were monitored during the course of the experiment, with the temperature and agitation rate kept constant. Resulting biomass concentration were monitored by obtaining the optical density of liquid samples via a Klett meter. Concentration of volatile sulfur and selenium compounds in the fermentor headspace were monitored by gas chromatography equipped and chemiluminescence detection. Data from batch and continuous cultures inoculated with selenate and/or selenite will be discussed.