Eight　silver-staining　protocols　were　applied　to　detect　DNA　in　polyester-backed　gels　to　select　the　optimal.　Results　showed　important　differences　in　staining　quality　and　that　four　methods　were　well-suited　for　TGGE　gels　due　to　high　sensitivity　and　low　background,　including　the　Bassam　et　al.　methods,　the　manufacturer　method　and　our　improved　method.