Headspace gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of light hydrocarbons and volatile organosulphur compounds in reduced-pressure cultures of Clostridium.

A static headspace gas chromatographic method for the simultaneous separation of trace light hydrocarbons and volatile organosulphur compounds in gases of nineteen Clostridium cultures at reduced pressure is described. The separation was achieved on n-octane-Porasil C after sampling of the gaseous compounds in a PTFE loop without any pretreatment. Most peaks were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The presence of methane and ethylene sulphide among Clostridium volatiles is confirmed and 3-methyl-1-butene, 2-methyl-2-butene, dimethyl trisulphide and S-methyl thioacetate are reported for the first time in the Clostridium group.