Sodium tellurite

Sodium tellurite (CAS 10102-20-2), also referenced as disodium tellurite in reagent catalogs, is an inorganic tellurium salt used primarily as a selective inhibitor. It serves as a trace-element source in microbiological and biochemical applications. Its ability to suppress non-target bacterial growth makes it a valued tool in diagnostic and research workflows.

In clinical and pharmaceutical microbiology, it is incorporated into selective culture media to isolate Corynebacterium diphtheriae and other tellurite-tolerant organisms. Biotechnology researchers use it as a tellurium source in studies investigating bacterial tellurite resistance mechanisms and the biosynthesis of tellurium nanoparticles.

Pharmaceutical-grade preparations are used in controlled laboratory settings to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility and screen microbial strains for industrial fermentation programs. It also serves as a reference standard material in analytical chemistry workflows requiring certified tellurium content. The product is supplied as a white to off-white crystalline powder.

It is available in reagent-grade and laboratory-grade specifications, with high-purity grades offered for research and pharmaceutical applications. Packaging ranges from small quantities for laboratory use to larger bulk formats for institutional or industrial buyers, ensuring consistent quality for all technical requirements.