Klett first demonstrated the selective inhibitory effects of selenite and Guth used it to isolate Salmonella Typhi. Leifson fully investigated selenite and formulated the selenite media. Enrichment media are routinely employed for detection of pathogens in faecal specimens as the pathogens are present in a very small number in the intestinal flora. Selenite Broth is useful for detecting Salmonella in the nonacute stages of illness when organisms occur in the faeces in low numbers and for epidemiological studies to enhance the detection of low number of organisms from asymptomatic or convalescent patients.

enrichment of Salmonella from food, dairy products and pathological materials