Abstract: In order to establish a fast detection method for distinguishing dead bacteria and live bacteria of Salmonella from samples, EMA and PCR were combined, meanwhile invA gene of Salmonella was taken as target gene, and then amplification was carried out by taking pure culture cells of Salmonella as template, furthermore sensitivity, specificity, exposure time and EMA concentration test were carried out. Results showed that： the sensitivity was 14 CFU/mL; the optimal exposure time was 2 min; when the concentration of EMA was less than 18 pLg/mL, EMA had no obvious inhibition to the amplification of live bacteria＇ target gene, while EMA at final concentration of 1 μg/mL could effectively inhibit the amplification of dead bacteria at 1 108 CFU/mL. So EMA-PCR could effectively decrease false positive rate in the detection of Salmonella.