Bismuth sulfite agar is a type of agar media used to isolate Salmonella species. It uses glucose as a primary source of carbon. BLBG and bismuth stop gram-positive growth. Bismuth sulfite agar tests the ability to use ferrous sulfate and convert it to hydrogen sulfide.

Bismuth sulfite agar typically contains (w/v):^[1]

1.6% bismuth sulfite Bi₂(SO₃)₃

1.0% pancreatic digest of casein

1.0% pancreatic digest of animal tissue

1.0% beef extract

1.0% glucose

0.8% dibasic sodium phosphate

0.06% ferrous sulfate • 7 water

pH adjusted to 7.7 at 25 °C

This medium is boiled for sterility, not autoclaved.