Identification of biogenic organotellurides in Escherichia coli K-12 headspace gases using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography

Escherichia coli JM109 cells, expressing the genes encoded in a 3.8-kb chromosomal DNA fragment from Geobacillus stearothermophilus V, produced volatile organotellurium compounds which were released into the headspace gas above liquid cultures when amended with tellurite anions in micromolar amounts. Headspace sampling was achieved using gas-syringe extraction or solid-phase microextraction using carboxen-polydimethysiloxane fibers. In addition to dimethyl telluride and dimethyl ditelluride, two new organometalloidal compounds were detected using gas chromatograph with mass spectrometric or fluorine-induced chemiluminescence detection. These compounds are methanetellurol and dimethyl tellurenyl sulfide. The significance of these findings with regard to the current knowledge about bacterial tellurite resistance is discussed.