Selenite F Broth

Selenite F Broth is an enrichment medium used for isolation of Salmonella species from faeces, urine or other pathological materials.

Selenite F Broth is based on the formulation devised by Leifson, who showed that selenite was beneficial in the isolation of Salmonella species while inhibiting coliforms and certain other microbial species like faecal Streptococci, present in faecal specimens. An enrichment medium is routinely employed to detect pathogens in faecal specimens since the pathogens are generally present in a very small number compared to the intestinal flora. This medium is useful in detecting Salmonella in the non-acute stages of illness when the organisms occur in faeces in low numbers and for epidemiological studies to enhance the detection of low numbers of organisms from asymptomatic or convalescent patients. Selenite F broth is used in the recovery of Salmonella with subcultures being made after 12-18 hours of incubation.