A method of repeated sampling of static headspace above anaerobic bacterial cultures with fluorine-induced chemiluminescence detection

An enclosure device has been built that will allow for the long-term sampling of headspace gases and solution from anaerobic bacterial cultures. Specific design characteristics allow for a strict anaerobic environment to be maintained for long periods of time while resealable rubber septa are isolated from the culture headspace to prevent interactions between the septa and reactive culture components. Using capillary gas chromatography coupled to fluorine-induced chemiluminescence detection, an oxygen intolerant, selenium resistant bacterial culture was grown and sampled repeatedly over 240 h. The results show that this system is a useful and reliable tool for time course experiments with anaerobic bacterial cultures as well as with reactive, oxygen sensitive or extremely volatile substances.