Selenite Reduction by Salmonella Heidelberg

When Salmonella Heidelberg is grown in 0.1% w/v Na 2 SeO 3 and examined microscopically during growth, two morphological changes can be seen. Red intracellular granules are seen in most of the population within 10 to 12 hours, and organisms containing granules elongate without cell division. The intracellular granules produced by S. heidelberg in selenite broth have been identified by X-ray analysis as amorphous red selenium. The intermediate in the conversion of selenite to elemental selenium has been trapped and identified as divalent selenium ion. Growth studies have shown that selenite toxicity is primarily associated with the lag phase of growth, and also that the divalent intermediate is more toxic than the tetravalent precursor.