Isolation of salmonellas from sewage-polluted river water using selenite F and Muller-Kauffmann tetrathionate

Abstract

Selenite F broth and a modified Muller-Kauffmann tetrathionate broth were investigated using sewage-polluted natural water as inocula. The modification of the tetrathionate medium was necessary as commercial alternatives would not allow multiplication of small numbers of salmonellas. The wide range of molar concentrations in different tetrathionate broths was emphasized. Selenite F broth was more efficient than Muller-Kauffmann tetrathionate broth, in our hands, with the material tested. Direct inoculation of the enrichment media was used. Each of the two media examined had a bias towards selection of certain serotypes. If possible, both enrichment broths should be used to obtain maximum information.