Objective: We studied the reduction of soluble and highly toxic selenite to elemental red selenium, under aerobic condition by Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR, with organic carbon as electron donor.
Results: The strain could grow under pH 6-11 and resist to high concentration of selenite with the minimal inhibitory concentration of 50 mmol/L. After 5 days, the strain used sodium citrate as electron donor, and reduced 2.0 mmol/L selenite to elemental red selenium from the culture fluid, the elemental red selenium was stored outside the cells. The glutathione and nitrate could increase the number of reduction rate.
Conclusion: This study implies the application of Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR to convert selenite to elemental red selenium.