Abstract: An improved plating media incorporates TERGITOL.RTM.4, an alkyl sodium sulfate biological detergent, in a Xylose-lysine agar base. The plating media may also include peptone and sulfapyridine to further inhibit Citrobacter growth. The media is highly preferential for Salmonella, giving a greater number of Salmonella positives, and reduced competitive organisms. When incorporated with drag swab methodology employing skim milk or evaporated milk as a holding media, which may advantageously include novobiocin to suppress unwanted bacterial growth, coupled with a tetrathionate-culturing broth or other selective enrichment broth, the plating media completes a highly sensitive assay for the detection of Salmonella, particularly keyed for poultry and livestock handling structures, and for veterinary and human clinical laboratory applications.