From 1525 Salmonella strains checked for fermentation of sorbose the majority failed to attack this sugar or split it with distinct delay. None of these cultures showed production of acid from sorbose prior to the third day of incubation. In contrast, sorbose was attacked within 24 hours by 74 out of 100 Ballerup-Bethesda strains. As an easy and reliable basis test combination for performing a minimal biochemical Salmonella diagnosis a series consisting of Kligler's medium and media containing urea, lysine, lactose, sucrose, sorbose, and salicin is suggested.